Ultimate Table Tennis | Gacina gives Shazé Challengers an edge over Maharashtra United
Andrej Gacina won two matches to put Shazé Challengers ahead 7-5 against DHFL Maharashtra United after four matches in the ongoing tie on day 12 of the CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
Croatian world No 46 Gacina provided Shazé Challengers a 3-0 lead with a dominant 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 win over Surat-born world No. 79 Harmeet Desai in the men’s singles, the opening match.
However, Fu Yu, ranked 37 in the world, staged a come-from-behind win over world No. 135 Mouma Das of Shazé Challengers 2-1 (5-11, 11-7, 11-7) in the women’s singles to secure DHFL Maharashtra United’s first points in the tie (2-4).
The third match was mixed doubles and Harmeet Desai/ Liu Jia of DHFL Maharashtra United won the first two games 11-5 and 11-2 before Soumyajit Ghosh/ Petrissa Solja pulled one back 11-7 to keep Shazé Challengers ahead at 5-4.
Gacina then put it across Portuguese world No. 48 Joao Monteiro, a southpaw, 2-1 (11-6, 11-9, 7-11) in the men’s singles to give Shazé Challengers an edge. Five more matches remain in the ongoing tie.
On Tuesday, Oilmax Stag Yoddhas will lock horns with Dabang Smashers T.T.C. in their respective fifth and final round league fixture.
After four matches - Shazé Challengers 7-5 DHFL Maharashtra United
MS – Andrej Gacina beat Harmeet Desai 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-6)
WS – Mouma Das lost to Fu Yu 1-2 (11-5, 7-11, 7-11)
MD – Soumyajit Ghosh/ Petrissa Solja lost to Harmeet Desai/ Liu Jia 1-2 (5-11, 2-11, 11-7
MS – Andrej Gacina beat Joao Montiero 2-1 (11-6, 11-9, 7-11)