Chennai Lions, led by Indian table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal, made a resounding comeback in Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, defeating Dabang Delhi TTC 8-7 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
Sharath, the league’s top-ranked Indian male paddler, showcased his brilliance in a 2-1 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC’s Andreas Levenko in the opening men’s singles match. The home favorite unleashed a barrage of powerful smashes, leaving the Austrian debutant in his wake.
Sharath’s triumph set the tone for the tie, with his teammates following suit. Sakura Mori extended Chennai Lions’ lead with a 2-1 win over Orawan Paranang in the first women’s singles match. Mori displayed her resilience, maintaining control despite Paranang’s repeated attempts to fight back.
The mixed doubles match followed a similar pattern, with Sharath and Mori teaming up to defeat Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Paranang 2-1. The hosts sealed the tie in the next match, with Jules Rolland overcoming local boy Sathiyan in a thrilling two-game-to-one encounter.
In the final match, Dabang Delhi TTC’s Diyale Chitale made history. The Mumbai native, who had previously watched UTT as a fan, secured her first-ever victory in the league in her second year, defeating Poymantee Baisya 3-0.
Chitale’s impressive performance earned her the Indian Player of the Tie honor, while Mori claimed the Foreign Player of the Tie gong. Rolland was awarded the DafaNews Shot of the Tie award for his exceptional shot-making.
Tomorrow’s lone tie will feature PBG Bengaluru Smashers taking on Puneri Paltan TT at 17:00, with both teams aiming to make a significant impact in the tournament.
