Did U Mumba Secure Semifinals and End Dabang Delhi’s Unbeaten Streak?

Ahmedabad, June 12 (NationPress) U Mumba TT clinched the fourth and final semifinal position with a decisive 10-5 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC in Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6 on Thursday. This loss terminated Delhi's remarkable four-tie winning streak, yet they concluded the league at the pinnacle with 44 points.

Before the match commenced, both teams donned black armbands and respected the victims of the recent Ahmedabad plane crash with a minute’s silence.

Lilian Bardet initiated U Mumba TT's success by defeating Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 2-1 in the first singles match. After securing a tight initial game 11-10, Bardet fell to 4-11 in the second but bounced back with a commanding 11-4 win in the final game. Following this, Bernadette Szocs overcame Diya Chitale 2-1. Despite Chitale's strong start at 11-3, Szocs leveled the score with a narrow 11-10 Golden Point victory and finished the match with an 11-8 win.

The momentum continued in the mixed doubles, where Szocs and Akash Pal triumphed over Izaac Quek and Chitale, ensuring U Mumba’s semifinal berth. However, Dabang Delhi fought back, winning the remaining two games and ultimately the match.

Abhinandh PB contributed two more points for U Mumba with a 2-1 victory against Singapore’s Izaac Quek. Making his season debut, Abhinandh started strong, winning the first two games before Izaac won one back with an 11-7, securing Dabang Delhi's lead on the table.

In the final match, Yashaswini Ghorpade defeated her World Youth Championships 2023 teammate Suhana Saini with a 3-0 score, winning two close games on Golden Point before sealing the match 11-3.

Szocs earned double accolades as the Foreign Player and Shot of the Tie, while Yashaswini was recognized as the Indian Player of the Tie.

Dabang Delhi is set to face Jaipur Patriots in the first semifinal, while reigning champions Dempo Goa Challengers will challenge U Mumba TT in the second semifinal. The winners will compete in the Grand Finale on June 15.

Organized by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) continues to solidify its position as a premier professional league, with all matches broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and Star Sports 2 Tamil, and streamed on JioHotstar.

Final Scores:

U Mumba TT 10-5 Dabang Delhi TTC

Lilian Bardet bt Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 2-1 (11-10, 4-11, 11-4)

Bernadette Szocs bt Diya Chitale 2-1 (3-11, 11-10, 11-8)

Akash Pal/Bernadette Szocs lost to Izaak Quek/Diya Chitale 1-2 (11-5, 7-11, 5-11)

Abhinandh PB bt Izaac Quek 2-1 (11-4, 11-9, 7-11)

Yashaswini Ghorpade bt Suhana Saini 3-0 (11-10, 11-10, 11-3)