UTT 2019 | Sharath Kamal’s heroics help Chennai Lions edge past Goa Challengers
Chennai Lions managed to leapfrog the Goa Challengers in a thrilling match that ended 8-7 but the limelight was hogged by Sharath Kamal who played brilliantly to take his side over the line. He was well supported by Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia and Petrissa Solja that helped his cause as well.
The Indian veteran was at top form for the Lions as he first partnered with Solja to collect two crucial points in the mixed doubles event before in a hard-fought match, which was then followed by another cut-throat challenge by Amalraj Anthony in the reverse men’s singles, which also fetched his side two points.
His teammates Tiago Apolonia, who won two more points, and Petrissa, who got one ensured that Chennai only needed one point in the fifth and final clash. And although Madhurika Patkar lost 2-1, she did manage to salvage the solitary point against Archana Kamath to seal the win.
For Goa, Cheng I-Ching had initially survived a minor scare in the opening women’s singles clash to put her side into the lead but Solja made a timely comeback to lose but also put one point in Chennai’s bag.Â
The all-European men’s singles clash, where Apolonia took on Alvaro Robles of Spain, saw the Portuguese put up a dominant display as he won the first set 11-5 before losing his way in the next and then again winning the final one.
