Playoff Race Heats Up As Kolkata Defeat UP; Goa Remain Untouched At The Top

HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades boosted their playoff hopes with a convincing 10-5 win against UP Prometheans, while Dempo Goa Challengers extended their unbeaten run in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 on Sunday, July 19.

Kolkata’s Indian duo of Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee once again led the way with standout performances. At the same time, Dempo Goa Challengers overcame a spirited fight from PBG Pune Jaguars to remain the only unbeaten team in the league.

Ankur swept Manav Thakkar before combining with Ayhika to maintain their unbeaten mixed doubles record, laying the platform for Kolkata’s victory.

Earlier in the day, Dempo Goa Challengers edged past PBG Pune Jaguars 8-7, with teenager Syndrela Das holding her nerve in the decisive match.

At the same time, Bernadette Szocs’ flawless singles display proved pivotal to the win.

Kolkata took control from the outset as Ankur Bhattacharjee edged past Manav Thakkar in the first two games on Golden Points before cruising through the third to complete a commanding straight-games win.

Zeng Jian followed it up with a three-game win against Swastika Ghosh, before Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee maintained their unbeaten record in mixed doubles to put Kolkata on the brink of a win.

UP found a brief opening through Ricardo Walther, who beat Eduard Ionescu in straight games to keep their hopes alive. But Ayhika Mukherjee closed out the contest in style, beating Sayali Wani in straight games to bag another decisive win for Kolkata.

In the opening tie, Goa suffered an early setback as Omar Assar fought back from a game down to hand Abhinandh PB his first singles loss of the season. Bernadette Szocs then shifted the momentum in Goa’s favour with a straight-games victory over Prithika Pavade, before Pune reduced the deficit in the mixed doubles.

Snehit Suravajjula then defeated Robles, leaving Goa needing a result in the final match.

Under pressure, Syndrela held her composure, taking the opening game before Diya Chitale fought back to force a decider. The 16-year-old kept her nerves in the final game, sealing an 11-8 victory to clinch the tie and preserve Goa’s unbeaten streak.

Earlier, U Mumba TT were crowned Dream UTT Juniors champions after beating Dabang Delhi TTC 5-2 in the final. Somdev Sengupta laid the foundation with a win in the boys’ singles before partnering Ahona Ray to win the mixed doubles.

Ahona then sealed U Mumba’s maiden Dream UTT Juniors title with a win in the girls’ singles.

Season 7 matches will be live on Star Sports Khel (Hindi), Star Sports Tamil 2 HD and Star Sports Tamil 3 HD, and streamed live on JioHotstar in Hindi, Tamil and English.

Final Score

Dempo Goa Challengers 8-7 PBG Pune Jaguars

Abhinandh PB lost to Omar Assar 1-2 (11-10, 5-11, 8-11)
Bernadette Szocs bt. Prithika Pavade 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-5)

Alvaro Robles/Syndrela Das lost to Anirban Ghosh/Diya Chitale 1-2 (10-11, 11-4, 6-11)

Alvaro Robles lost to Snehit Suravajjula 1-2 (11-2, 8-11, 10-11)

Syndrela Das bt. Diya Chitale 2-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-8)

HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades 10-5 UP Prometheans

Ankur Bhattacharjee bt. Manav Thakkar 3-0 (11-10, 11-10, 11-3)

Zeng Jian bt. Swastika Ghosh 2-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-8)

Ankur Bhattacharjee/Ayhika Mukherjee bt. Ricardo Walther/Swastika Ghosh 2-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-8)

Eduard Ionescu lost to Ricardo Walther 0-3 (9-11, 8-11, 8-11)
Ayhika Mukherjee bt. Sayali Wani 3-0 (11-8, 11-10, 11-7)