The Indian men’s and women’s teams advanced to the third round of the World table tennis team championships after notching up contrasting wins on Monday.
- Sharath Kamal was at his best while beating Ibrahim Gunduz 11-5, 11-5, 11-7. Soumyajit Ghosh then beat Gencay Menge 11-8, 11-6, 11-7.
National champion A. Amalraj, after losing the first game, overcame Abdullah Yigenler 3-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7.
Mouma Das, surprisingly, disappointed when she opened for India against Adriana Diaz. The top Puerto Rican, despite losing the first game, steadied herself and took a firm grip over the diminutive Mouma.
Adriana won 5-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9.
However, Shamini, playing her role to perfection, neutralised their rivals’ advantage to beat Melaine Dias 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5.
Madhurika, playing her first match, easily downed Daniely Rios 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 to keep India’s hopes alive.
With Shamini slated to take on Adriana in her reverse singles, it was always going to be dicey. But the Indian outwitted the No. 1 player 11-7, 13-11, 8-11, 11-8.
