Mouma-Manika become first Indian pair to enter World TT Championships quarterfinals

06/02/2017

On Thursday, Indian fans got a good news as Manika Batra and Mouma Das registered their names in the history book, becoming the first Indian pair to reach the quarterfinals of the World Table Tennis Championships. In the men’s singles, Sharath Kamal also entered the round of 32.

Mouma and Manika created a glorifying chapter in the Indian table tennis history with luck on their side as they got a walkover from the Netherlands and Polish pair of Li Jie and Li Quian, after the latter reportedly being hospitalised last night.

"I don't know what to even feel. It's just sad that our opponents could not play the match. But at the same time, I am so elated that we have created history for our country," said Mouma, on being asked about the achievement.

In next round, they will lock horns with No.1 and 2 Chinese players, Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen in the quarterfinals.

In the men’s singles match, India’s top-ranked player Sharath Kamal advanced to the round of 32 after beating Ukraine’s Kou Lei. He grabbed this match in straight games 11-3, 11-9, 14-12, 11-3. Sharath, who ranked 43 in the world, dominated and easily won the game without wasting much time. Kou, who ranked 24, tried to put his all efforts in the third set but that went in vain.

"I got into a groove very early and my backhand came off nicely. I am taking one match at a time and I am not worried about my next round opponent," said Sharath after the match.

In his next round, the Indian player will meet either Austrian Habesohin or Chinese Lin Gaoyuan on Friday.