Manush Shah (RBI) denied Ankur Bhattacharjee a double and won his maiden senior title in the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Tournament at the Jimmy George indoor stadium here on Thursday.
Manush overcame a spirited challenge from Ankur 11-2, 4-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11 in the men’s final. Manush clattered his forehands to all corners of the table to take the first set quite easily at 11-2. But Ankur didn’t allow Manush any leeway in the second set and nailed points with backhand jabs to win the second set at 11-4.
Manush Shah with the gold medal, his first at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Tournament.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
Manush Shah with the gold medal, his first at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Tournament.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
However, Manush overcame the brief slump in form to dominate the third set. Ankur called the shots in the fourth set which he won 11-8. But Manush Shah fought back and profited from unforced errors from Ankur to win the fifth set (11-8).
The sixth set was closely fought with Ankur fighting back to equalise the scores at seven and he saved three match points before Manush regained his composure to win the match.
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Diya Chitale (RBI) came back from behind to beat Swastika Ghosh (AAI) 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in the women’s final. Swastika led her opponent in all the sets but failed to seize the chances and committed errors at crucial junctures.
Diya Chitale with the winner’s medal at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Tournament.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
Diya Chitale with the winner’s medal at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Tournament.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
The resilient Diya fought back and her fighting spirit was best exemplified in the fourth set in which she trailed from the start. But once Diya equalised at eight-all, there was little Swastika could do to stop her opponent from winning it. Swastika’s challenge wilted away and her errors climbed in the fifth set which Diya won 11-7 to pocket the match.
Ankur Bhattacharjee (PSPB) and Syndrela Das (Bengal) won the titles in boys and girls sections in the under-19 category.
Results
Men (final): Manush Shah (RBI) bt Ankur Bhattacharjee (PSPB) 11-2, 4-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11
Semifinals: Ankur Bhattacharjee (PSPB) bt Akash Pal (RSPB) 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8; Manush Shah (RBI) bt Manav Thakkar (PSPB) 10-12, 11-7, 13-10, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7.
Women (final): Diya Chitale (RBI) bt Swastika Ghosh (AAI) 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7.
Semifinals: Diya Chitale (RBI) bt Sutirtha Mukherjee (RSPB) 12-10, 3-11, 6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 14-12, 12-10.
Under-19: Boys (final): Ankur Bhattacharjee (PSBP) bt Kushal Chopda (Mah) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9.
Semifinals: Ankur Bhattacharjee (PSPB) bt Punit Biswas (Ben) 11-6, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7; Kushal Chopda (Mah) bt Priyanuj Bhattacharyya (Asm) 5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6.
Girls (final): Syndrela Das (Ben) bt Ananya Chande (Mah) 11-8, 13-11, 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4.
Semifinals: Syndrela Das (Ben) bt Pritha Vartikar (Mah) 10-12, 11-1, 11-7, 12-10; Ananya Muralidharan (TN) 14-12, 11-5, 14-12.
