World Team TT, India women snatch narrow win over Ukraine

London : India's women's table tennis team showcased their skill and determination, clinching a 3-2 victory against Ukraine in the ITTF World Team Championships Finals qualifiers, enhancing their chances of advancing as group leaders.

Manika Batra's initial win gave India an early lead in the crucial match against Ukraine. Yashaswini Ghorpade displayed resilience in the final match, securing the overall victory for India.

Diya Chitale's dominant performance contributed significantly to India's 3-2 win. The victory puts India in a strong position to top Group 6 in the ITTF World Team Championships Finals qualifiers.

India's women's table tennis team rose to the occasion in a high-stakes group encounter, edging Ukraine 3-2 in a pulsating contest to keep their ITTF World Team Championships Finals qualification hopes on track in London on Wednesday.

The victory also placed them in a strong position to top Group 6.

The encounter began tensely with Manika Batra, ranked No. 49 in the world, on the backfoot against the experienced Tetyana Bilenko.

Dropping the second game, 7-11, Manika showed her trademark composure to storm back, taking the next two for an 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5 verdict and handing India an early lead.

Ukraine fought back through world No. 51 Margaryta Pesotska, who got the better of Yashaswini Ghorpade in a five-game duel. Ghorpade fought back after losing the first two games, even dishing out a dominant 11-1 third game, but Pesotska held her nerve in the decider to level the tie at 1-1.

India regained control thanks to Diya Chitale, who delivered an assured performance. The young paddler dismantled Veronika Matiunina 11–6, 11–8, 11–6, combining sharp placement with relentless tempo to put India 2-1 ahead.

With the tie hanging in the balance, Margaryta overpowered Manika 11–9, 5–11, 11–8, 11–6, forcing the contest into a decisive fifth match.

Ghorpade then showed remarkable resilience under pressure to beat Tetyana 11–7, 11–9, 9–11, 11–7 to seal the tie for India.

The win places India in a commanding position in the group. They take on Rwanda in their last group fixture on Thursday, a match that could confirm their passage into the main draw as group toppers.

In the men's section India will take on Slovakia later in the day, before wrapping up their Group 7 campaign against Guatemala on Thursday.