Will the Reigning Champions Dempo Goa Challengers Defeat U Mumba TT in Semi-Final 2?

Synopsis
As the Ultimate Table Tennis Season 6 heats up, reigning champions Dempo Goa Challengers are determined to secure a third consecutive final appearance against U Mumba TT. With standout players and intense competition, this semi-final promises to be a thrilling encounter that no fan should miss.
Key Takeaways
- Dempo Goa Challengers aim for a third consecutive final.
- U Mumba TT seeks to build on their playoff momentum.
- Key players include Zeng Jian and Harmeet Desai for Dempo, and Szocs and Ghorpade for U Mumba.
- This match marks their first meeting of the season.
- The winner faces Jaipur Patriots in the final.
Ahmedabad, June 14 (NationPress) The defending champions Dempo Goa Challengers are set to pursue their third consecutive final when they face a determined U Mumba TT team in the second semi-final of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6 this Saturday.
As back-to-back titleholders and the only franchise with two UTT championships, Goa secured the second spot in the standings, boasting three tie victories and a total of 44 points. On the other hand, U Mumba has made a significant comeback to the playoffs after finishing third with two points less, marking their first postseason appearance since Season 3. The victor of this match will advance to the final against the first-time finalists, Jaipur Patriots, on Sunday.
Dempo Goa Challengers have displayed a pattern of alternating wins and losses during the league phase, yet they remain a formidable force, spearheaded by Harmeet Desai and the outstanding Zeng Jian, who triumphed in all five of her matches, conceding just one game throughout the league. Zeng has also been instrumental in the mixed doubles, pairing with Harmeet for two crucial victories.
Harmeet has shown remarkable consistency with four wins out of five, while Krittwika Sinha Roy has been a quiet sensation, winning three out of her four matches, including a notable win against China's Fan Siqi. Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy, a late addition to the team, kicked off his UTT journey with a victory.
Conversely, U Mumba TT enters this match with strong momentum, having secured back-to-back tie victories. Their international players have found their rhythm, with Bernadette Szocs and Lilian Bardet both achieving four wins in their last five singles matches. Indian prodigy Yashaswini Ghorpade has continued her remarkable season with three wins from four matches, while Abhinandh PB impressed in his debut by defeating Singapore’s Izaac Quek, one of the top overseas competitors. The Szocs–Akash Pal duo has also excelled in mixed doubles, winning three out of five matches.
As Dempo Goa Challengers and U Mumba did not face each other during the league stage, this match marks their inaugural clash of the season. With both teams brimming with talented players, the semi-final sets the stage for thrilling, high-stakes competition as they vie for a spot in the final.
Squads:
Dempo Goa Challengers: Zeng Jian (Singapore), Harmeet Desai, Vitor Ishiy (Brazil), Ronit Bhanja, Krittwika Sinha Roy, Sayali Wani.
U Mumba TT: Bernadette Szocs (Romania), Lilian Bardet (France), Yashaswini Ghorpade, Swastika Ghosh, Akash Pal, Abhinandh PB.