UTT Season 7: Szocs clinches thrilling 8-7 win for unbeaten Goa Challengers against Kolkata ThunderBlades
Taleigao, July 13
Reigning MVP Bernadette Szocs held her nerve in a winner-takes-all finale to guide unbeaten Dempo Goa Challengers to a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Season 7 of the Ultimate Table Tennis at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao in Goa on Sunday.
With the tie locked at 7-7 heading into the final game of the evening, Szocs produced a champion's finish, edging Singapore's Zeng Jian 11-9 to preserve Goa's perfect start to Season 7. The victory was built on another assured display from teenage sensation Abhinandh PB, who extended his unbeaten start to the campaign with a commanding win over Ankur Bhattacharjee in a meeting between two of UTT Season 7's breakout Indian stars.
Two-time champions Goa struck first through Spain's Alvaro Robles, who recovered after dropping the second game to defeat Eduard Ionescu 2-1, finishing with an outstanding 11-0 game. Kolkata responded immediately as Ayhika Mukherjee overcame giant-killer Syndrela Das 2-1, limiting the teenager to a single game after her headline-making upset of Manika Batra a day earlier.
Kolkata then edged ahead through Ayhika and Ankur Bhattacharjee, who combined to win the mixed doubles 2-1, handing the ThunderBlades a slender 5-4 advantage in an oscillating tie.
Abhinandh, then, showcased why he has been one of the stars of the opening week, defeating Ankur 2-1 with a dazzling display of attacking table tennis to restore Goa's lead. That set up a winner-takes-all women's singles clash between Szocs and Zeng Jian. After Jian claimed the opener, Szocs fought back to force a decider before holding her composure in a tense finish, converting her fourth match point with a blistering topspin winner to seal an 8-7 victory for the defending champions.
Abhinandh was named the Player of the Tie while Ayhika claimed the Indian Player of the Tie award after starring in both her singles and mixed doubles victories. Robles was adjudged the Foreign Player of the Tie, and Ankur earned the Shot of the Tie honour.
Earlier in the day, UTT Juniors, UTT's grassroots competition running alongside Season 7, saw Dabang Delhi TTC hand U Mumba TT their first defeat of the campaign with a 6-3 victory. Dempo Goa Challengers also registered a 6-3 win over PBG Pune Jaguars, moving up to fourth in the standings.
Final scores:
Dempo Goa Challengers beat HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades 8-7
Alvaro Robles bt. Eduard Ionescu 2-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-0)
Syndrela Das lost to Ayhika Mukherjee 1-2 (9-11, 7-11, 11-4)
Alvaro Robles/Syndrela Das lost to Ankur Bhattacharjee/Ayhika Mukherjee 1-2 (9-11, 11-7, 7-11)
Abhinandh P.B. bt. Ankur Bhattacharjee 2-0 (11-8, 11-8, 6-11)
Bernadette Szocs bt. Zeng Jian 2-1(5-11, 11-8, 11-9).
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud of Abhinandh PB! This young lad is playing like a veteran. Beating Ankur Bhattacharjee again – that's no small feat. Indian table tennis future is bright with talents like him and Syndrela Das emerging. UTT is giving them the platform they deserve.
Kolkata came so close! Ayhika Mukherjee was brilliant in both singles and doubles – fully deserved that Indian Player of the Tie award. But that 11-0 game from Alvaro Robles was brutal. You can't gift a set like that and expect to win against the defending champs.
Love how competitive UTT has become! Goa vs Kolkata was edge-of-the-seat stuff. Szocs vs Zeng Jian was a tactical masterclass. Table tennis in India is growing so fast – this league is a game-changer. Can't wait for the next matches! 🏓
While the win was thrilling, I hope the management doesn't get too dependent on foreign players like Szocs and Robles. We need more Indian youngsters to step up in the big moments. Abhinandh is a great start, but we need depth. Still, excellent entertainment! 👏
Syndrela Das lost to Ayhika but that girl has a bright future – she beat Manika Batra yesterday! UTT Juniors also happening alongside is such a smart move. Grassroots development is key. This is how we produce Olympic medallists in TT. Proud Indian moment 🇮🇳
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