Can Sreeja and Yashansh Lead Jaipur Patriots to Glory in UTT Season 6 Final?

Synopsis
The Jaipur Patriots have made a historic entry into the Ultimate Table Tennis Season 6 final with a thrilling victory over Dabang Delhi. Sreeja Akula and Yashansh Malik were the heroes of the night, showcasing their skills and determination. Tune in to discover how they achieved this remarkable feat and what lies ahead for the team.
Key Takeaways
- Sreeja Akula continues her unbeaten streak in UTT.
- Yashansh Malik delivers a stunning upset over Sathiyan.
- Jaipur Patriots advance to their first UTT final.
- Live coverage available on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
- Significance of this victory for the team cannot be overstated.
Ahmedabad, June 13 (NationPress) Sreeja Akula, the Commonwealth Games gold medalist from India, continued her impressive streak while the talented Yashansh Malik delivered a stunning upset against Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, propelling the Jaipur Patriots to the Grand Finale of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6 with a nail-biting 8-7 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC.
Yashansh achieved the night’s biggest surprise with a 2-1 triumph over Delhi’s captain Sathiyan, while Sreeja secured the win with a close contest against Diya Chitale in the concluding match of the tie. The Jaipur Patriots are now set to face the winner of the other semifinal between Dempo Goa Challengers and U Mumba TT in the finals on June 15.
Jaipur Patriots initiated their semi-final on a high note, as Kanak Jha avenged his earlier defeat against Izaac Quek with a 2-1 win. Although Quek took the first game 11-7, Jha fought back fiercely, clinching the second game on Golden Point and dominating the decider.
Dabang Delhi quickly countered with Maria Xiao, who overcame Britt Eerland to equalize the score at 1-1. The duo of Sathiyan and Xiao then bested Jeet Chandra and Eerland in mixed doubles, extending their flawless run and pushing their team ahead.
Yashansh kept the Jaipur Patriots competitive. After saving three game points in the initial game to win on Golden Point, he rallied from behind to take the second game 11-9, marking his first victory in IndianOil UTT. Sathiyan responded with an 11-6 win in the third game, leveling the tie at 6-6 as they approached the final showdown.
In the decisive match, Sreeja began strong, taking the first game 11-9 despite Diya’s comeback from a 1-5 deficit. With the stakes high for Dabang Delhi TTC, Diya retaliated with a powerful 11-6 win in Game 2. The final game was a thrilling contest, locked at 8-8 before Sreeja clinched it with a stunning forehand winner, propelling Jaipur to their first-ever IndianOil UTT final.
Sreeja earned the title of Indian Player of the Tie, while Delhi’s Xiao and Diya were acknowledged with the Foreign Player and Shot of the Tie honors, respectively.
Organized under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, IndianOil UTT is establishing itself as a premier professional league. All matches this season are being broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and Star Sports 2 Tamil, and streamed on JioHotstar.
Final scores:
Jaipur Patriots 8-7 Dabang Delhi TTC
Kanak Jha bt Izaac Quek 2-1 (7-11, 11-10, 11-3)
Britt Eerland lost to Maria Xiao 1-2 (11-6, 6-11, 8-11)
Jeet Chandra/Britt Eerland lost to Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Maria Xiao 1-2 (11-8, 9-11, 10-11)
Yashansh Malik bt. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 2-1 (11-10, 11-9, 6-11)
Sreeja Akula bt Diya Chitale 2-1 (11-9, 6-11, 11-9).