UTT Season 7: U Mumba TT beat Pune Jaguars 9-6, go top with second straight win
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Reigning champions U Mumba TT continued their title defence in Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7, defeating Maharashtra rivals PBG Pune Jaguars 9-6 at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Taleigaon, Panaji on Thursday, 16 July. The victory — their second on the trot — lifted U Mumba to the top of the Season 7 standings.
How the tie unfolded
The Maharashtra Derby opened with Pune drawing first blood. Snehit Suravajjula extended his unbeaten run this season, recovering from a game down to edge U Mumba captain Manush Shah 2-1 (11-6, 9-11, 6-11) in the opening Men's Singles. U Mumba levelled immediately through Anna Hursey, who produced a composed three-game victory over Diya Chitale 2-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-6).
Mixed Doubles proved the turning point
The tie swung decisively in the Mixed Doubles, where Manush Shah and Anna Hursey combined to sweep Snehit Suravajjula and Prithika Pavade in straight games 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-7), handing the defending champions a cushion Pune never recovered from. It was a commanding display from the pair who would go on to share the top individual honours of the evening.
Bardet's Golden Point nerve seals the contest
Pune's hopes of a comeback rested on Omar Assar, who took the opening game against France's Lilian Bardet before the Frenchman fought back to level. The deciding game produced the tie's standout moment — Assar's breathtaking around-the-net winner, later named the Shot of the Tie — but Bardet held his nerve on the Golden Point to complete the comeback and put the result beyond doubt, winning 2-1 (7-11, 11-7, 11-10).
Pavade signs off for Pune; awards round-up
With the tie already settled, Prithika Pavade gave Pune a consolation, defeating Anusha Kutumbale 2-1 (11-8, 11-10, 10-11) in a contest that featured the longest rally of the season — a 31-shot exchange in the second game. Anusha ultimately won the third game on Golden Point with a backhand winner, but the point went to Pune. Manush Shah was named the Indian Player of the Tie, while Anna Hursey claimed both the Foreign Player of the Tie and the overall Player of the Tie award.
UTT Juniors results
In the UTT Juniors — the grassroots competition running alongside Season 7 — Dabang Delhi TTC edged UP Prometheans 5-4 to keep their playoff hopes alive. Ahmedabad APL Pipers also won 5-4 over PBG Pune Jaguars, though both sides were eliminated from semifinal contention. With their win, U Mumba now sit at the summit of the UTT Season 7 table and will look to build further momentum in the matches ahead.