Indian women’s doubles team of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee advanced to the round of 16 of the ongoing WTT Champions China Smash 2024, on Monday.
They defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu and Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching in straight sets 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-9).
The duo will face Chinese Taipei’s Cheng-I-Ching and Li Yu-Jhun, the top seed in this tournament, in the round of 16.
Earlier in the day, it was a barrage of defeat for the Indian men’s and women’s contingent in the main draw of the China Smash, culminating in a humiliating exit for India’s paddlers in unison in the singles category.
China Smash 2024
Finally 1st win for India in China Smash
Mukherjees won (11-9,11-4,11-9) against Chen Zsu – Yu 🇹🇼/ Lee ho Ching ðŸ‡ðŸ‡°!
R16 vs 🇹🇼Pair
Earlier Sharath Kamal lost (1-3) to WR 56 Aditya Sareen 🇦🇺
All 4 Paddlers lost in R1 in Singles.
Manush/Diya & Manav… pic.twitter.com/vVO299iutg
— Navin Mittal (@Navinsports) September 30, 2024
Manav Thakkar was the first to fall for India, losing to China’s Zeng Beixun in straight sets 3-0 (9-11, 9-11, 8-11).
India’s highest-ranked paddlers, Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula also faced first-round exits. Manika lost to Japan’s Mima Ito, the sixth seed of the tournament, in straight sets 3-0 (3-11, 9-11, 9-11).
Sreeja, returning to action for the first time since the Paris Olympics, lost in straight sets to Japan’s Miu Hirano (10-12, 4-11, 5-11).
India’s Sharath Kamal, the veteran paddler and five-time Olympian, gave hope after winning the first game in his match against Indian-origin Australian Aditya Sareen.
But the Aussie bounced back strongly winning the subsequent three games and winning the match 3-1 (11-9, 13-15, 12-14, 9-11).