Mixed day for Indian paddlers

It was a mixed day for the Indian Paddlers in the ongoing World team Table Tennis championship as the men’s team continued its good run, registering its second successive victory by beating Norway 3-1, while the women’s team went down fighting 2-3 against Australia at Guangzhou in China on Tuesday.

Soumyadeep Roy lost the opening encounter 8-11, 6-11 and 8-11 from the hands of Jianfeng Wang while reigning national champion Achanta Sharath Kamal levelled the terms 1-1 by defeating Geir Erlandsen 11-9, 11-6, 11-7.

Subhajit Saha put India ahead after defeating Espen Ronneberg 11-2, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9. Later Sharath wrapped up the proceedings with 11-7, 11-2, 8-11 11-6 win over Wang.

Australian women paddlers got the better of Indian women as they claimed the tie 3-2 in their favour. Neha Aggarwal took India ahead by beating Miao Miao 11-4, 4-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-5 but the Aussies drew level after Poulami Ghatak lost 11-5, 13-11, 11-9 to Jian Fang Lay.

Mouma Das brought some hope as she beat May Cho 12-10, 11-7, 12-10 but Poulami conceded the lead as she lost in straight sets to Miao 7-11, 6-11, 5-11. Neha lost the battle 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 15-13, 2-11 in the decider.