UTT Season 7: Manika, Polcanova fire Ahmedabad to 10-5 win over Pune
Synopsis
Ahmedabad APL Pipers climbed to the top of the UTT Season 7 table with a 10-5 demolition of PBG Pune Jaguars — and it was a two-woman show. Sofia Polcanova won twice, including a nerve-shredding Golden Point double in singles, while Manika Batra closed the tie with a flawless straight-games win over Prithika Pavade. Ahmedabad look like the team to beat.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad APL Pipers beat PBG Pune Jaguars 10-5 in UTT Season 7 on 18 July at Taleigao, Panaji .
Manika Batra defeated Prithika Pavade 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) to seal the tie and won the Indian Player of the Tie award.
Sofia Polcanova won both her singles and mixed doubles rubbers, earning ChatGPT Match IQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie honours.
Adrien Rassenfosse inflicted Snehit Suravajjula's first singles defeat of the season.
The result sends Ahmedabad to the top of the UTT Season 7 standings .
In UTT Juniors semifinals, Dabang Delhi TTC and U Mumba TT advanced to the final on 19 July .
Manika Batra delivered a dominant straight-games triumph over Prithika Pavade as Ahmedabad APL Pipers climbed to the summit of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 standings with a comprehensive 10-5 victory over PBG Pune Jaguars at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao, Panaji on Saturday, 18 July.
How Ahmedabad Built the Lead
The Pipers set the tone from the opening rubber. Belgian paddler Adrien Rassenfosse absorbed a late fightback from Snehit Suravajjula — handing the Indian his first singles defeat of the season — to win 2-1 (11-8, 11-6, 8-11). Sofia Polcanova then produced a nervy but clinical display against Diya Chitale, recovering from dropping the first game to clinch the next two on Golden Point, winning 2-1 (4-11, 11-10, 11-10) in their first-ever head-to-head.
The mixed doubles pairing of Payas Jain and Polcanova extended the advantage further with a composed comeback, winning 2-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-7) against Anirban Ghosh and Pavade. Ahmedabad held a commanding cushion heading into the final two singles rubbers.
Pune's Brief Resistance and Manika's Seal
Egypt's Omar Assar kept Pune's hopes briefly alive, edging out Payas Jain in a tense three-game battle 2-1 (11-6, 7-11, 11-9). However, Manika Batra — India's top-ranked women's paddler — ensured there would be no dramatic turnaround, controlling the tie's final rubber from start to finish to defeat Pavade 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) and seal a comprehensive win for the Pipers.
Awards and Individual Honours
Sofia Polcanova was recognised as both the ChatGPT Match IQ Player of the Tie and the Foreign Player of the Tie, underlining her decisive influence across two rubbers. Manika Batra claimed the Indian Player of the Tie award, while Prithika Pavade earned the Bisleri Shot of the Tie honour.
UTT Season 7 Context
Staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, Butterfly UTT Season 7 features 42 players from across the globe, including 14 Olympians. The league continues to serve as a key pillar of elite table tennis development in India, running year-round grassroots initiatives alongside the main draw.
UTT Juniors Semifinals
In the UTT Juniors competition — Butterfly UTT's grassroots arm running concurrently with Season 7 — Dabang Delhi TTC defeated Dempo Goa Challengers 5-2 and U Mumba TT overcame UP Prometheans 5-1 in the semifinals on Saturday. Both teams advance to the final, scheduled for Sunday, 19 July.
With the win, Ahmedabad APL Pipers sit at the top of the UTT Season 7 table, and the battle for playoff positions is set to intensify in the matches ahead.
Point of View
A fellow international-level player, signals she is hitting her stride at exactly the right time. If Ahmedabad's foreign slots continue to outperform and Manika stays sharp, the Pipers are the most complete unit in the draw so far.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Ahmedabad APL Pipers and PBG Pune Jaguars in UTT Season 7?
Ahmedabad APL Pipers defeated PBG Pune Jaguars 10-5 in UTT Season 7 on 18 July at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao, Panaji. The result moved Ahmedabad to the top of the Season 7 standings.
How did Manika Batra perform in the Ahmedabad vs Pune UTT match?
Manika Batra won her singles rubber against Prithika Pavade in straight games, 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8), sealing the tie for Ahmedabad. She was named the Indian Player of the Tie for her performance.
What awards did Sofia Polcanova win in the UTT Season 7 Ahmedabad vs Pune tie?
Sofia Polcanova was awarded both the ChatGPT Match IQ Player of the Tie and the Foreign Player of the Tie honours. She won her singles rubber against Diya Chitale on Golden Point and also triumphed in the mixed doubles alongside Payas Jain.
What is UTT Season 7 and where is it being held?
Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 is India's premier professional table tennis league, staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani. The current edition features 42 players including 14 Olympians and is being held at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigao, near Panaji, Goa.
Which teams reached the UTT Juniors final?
Dabang Delhi TTC and U Mumba TT advanced to the UTT Juniors final after winning their respective semifinals on 18 July. Delhi beat Dempo Goa Challengers 5-2, while U Mumba overcame UP Prometheans 5-1. The final is scheduled for 19 July.
