Manika Batra in action.
Photo Credits: The Goan
PANAJI
In a keenly contested Women's Singles match late into Day 4 of WTT Star Contender Goa in Taleigao on Thursday, Manika Batra, the poster girl of Indian Table Tennis prevailed over World No. 14 Puerto Rican Adriana Diaz 3-1 (11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8) to progress into the Round of 16.
Replying to a question posed by The Goan in a media interaction after the match, the World No. 34 Women's Singles player conceded that tight matches do keep her in good stead. "I think these close matches help me sometimes. I just gave my best in every game and in every point. I just look forward to my next match and want to forget about this one. Of course, I'm happy that I gave my best and I played very well," the content top Indian Women's Singles paddler said.
Dropping the third game after winning the first two games, Batra strategically took a more positive approach. "I was playing very defensively, so I decided to attack more after missing a lot of points, as my coach also told me to," the TT star stated.
"To be honest from the Asia Cup, and the Contender tournaments as well, I have been winning close games. Even my mother always says I play close matches and it scares her," Batra added.
On her opponent, she was all praise. "She (Adrian Diaz) played really well, and her backhand is very strong. But I am very happy with my game, and more importantly, I played well and with confidence. People were also there to cheer me on and this was also helpful," Batra said.
Having defeated quite a few top 20 players in the Asia Cup, Batra agrees it helps her perform better in the ongoing tournament. "It helps a lot. But first of all, I do not think that they are higher-ranked players. All the players train well. I prepare for each player, but on the table, I have to adapt as strategies do not always work. Confidence is important, and it showed in the match against Diaz when I led 2-1 against her," Batra pointed out.
The star Indian TT player admitted home support really matters. "The opponent feels the pressure when people are there to cheer us. I am happy that for the first time in India, the WTT Star Contender took place. I hope it continues here."
Batra will take on China's Qian Tianyi (World Rank 20) in the Round of 16.
