Manika slays Nina to enter Smash quarters
New Delhi, May 8: The dream run of Manika Batra at the Jeddah 2024 Saudi Smash continued when the Indian thumped world No. 14 Nina Mittleham of Germany 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-7) in 22 minutes to enter the women’s singles event quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Manika has never won a singles match at this level as she became the first Indian woman paddler to achieve this rare feat and make it to the quarters of a Smash event. Incidentally, it was also Manika’s first-ever triumph over the German in four meetings.
Last night, the 28-year-old multiple CWG medallist was in her zone right from the word go and knocked the stuffing out of the German for her first-ever career-changing performance before the July-August Olympics in Paris.
“I’m feeling proud of myself that I played my best game today after beating Wang Manyu,” said Manika to WTT media. “That match was important to me, and I was happy and excited, so I had to keep myself calm for this match.”
Manika, who next meets Hina Hayata, ranked No. 5 in the world, on Thursday in the quarters, could jump several places from her present position at No. 39 and break into the top 25 when the rankings are updated next Monday.
On her way to the quarterfinals, Manika stunned world No 2 Wang Manyu 3-1 in the second round and higher-ranked Andreea Dragoman of Romania in straight games in the first round.
Manika returns to form; Harmeet-Yashaswini pair in PQF
New Delhi, May 6: Manika Batra made her best return to form with less than three months to go for the Paris Olympics as the 28-year-old Indian shocked World No. 2 Wang Manyu to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the Saudi Smash at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah today.
Manika beat the second-seeded Chinese 3-1 (6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10), taking just 37 minutes. Though Manika lost the opening game against the 25-year-old, she fought back well to take the next two games quickly. The world No. 2 kept herself in the match until Manika, without giving her another opportunity, claimed the last two points to seal the Chinese fate.
The unseeded and world No. 39 Manika, who accounted for Andreea Dragoman of Romania yesterday, clashes with Nina Mittelham of Germany, ranked No. 14 in the world, tomorrow.
In mixed doubles, Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade surprised the Spanish fifth-seeded pair of Alvaro Robles and Maria Xiao 3-2 (11-5, 5-11, 3-11, 11-7,11-7) to storm into the quarterfinals. In the pre-quarters, the Indian duo had beaten the Chilean duo Nicolas Burgos and Paulina Vega 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-5).
The Asian Games bronze medallists Ayhika and Sutirtha Mukherjee ended a successful day in Jeddah when the pair defeated Mariam and Marwa Alhodaby 3-0 (11-7, 1-3, 11-4) to enter the pre-quarters.
The Asian Games bronze medallists Ayhika and Sutirtha Mukherjee ended a successful day in Jeddah when the pair defeated Mariam and Marwa Alhodaby 3-0 (11-7, 1-3, 11-4) to enter the pre-quarters.
However, Sreeja Akula, who upstaged Manika in the world ranking to occupy the No. 38 position, lost 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 12-14 to Jieni Saho after leading the Portuguese in two games. Earlier other Indians went down with good fights in singles including A. Sharath Kamal, Archana Kamath, Manav Thakkar and Sutirtha Mukherjee.
Sharath, who met Aruna Quadri of Nigeria in the round of 64, lost after a gutsy performance as he led 2-0. Qadri beat Sharath 8-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 13-11.
