PANAJI
MARGAO: Indian youngster Sayali Wani produced a sensational comeback to lead UP Prometheans to their first victory of Season 7 of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), edging Ahmedabad APL Pipers 8-7 in a thrilling tie at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Tuesday.
With the contest hanging in the balance, Sayali delivered a remarkable performance against Indian star Manika Batra in the deciding women's singles match. After losing the opening game 5-11, she rallied to win the second 11-8 and then saved three successive tie points while trailing 7-10 in the decider. She forced a Golden Point and held her nerve to clinch victory.
Earlier, Payas Jain defeated Sudhanshu Grover, while Sofia Polcanova overcame Yangzi Liu to give Ahmedabad the advantage. Ricardo Walther and Swastika Ghosh then helped UP fight back with a straight-games mixed doubles win before Adrien Rassenfosse levelled the tie.
Sayali was named Indian Player of the Tie, while Walther, Swastika Ghosh and Rassenfosse also picked up individual honours.
Final Score
UP Prometheans 8-7 Ahmedabad APL Pipers
Sudhanshu Grover lost to Payas Jain 1-2 (11-5, 9-11, 5-11)
Yangzi Liu lost to Sofia Polcanova 1-2 (11-3, 10-11, 6-11)
Ricardo Walther/Swastika Ghosh bt. Payas Jain/Sofia Polcanova 3-0 (11-9, 11-10, 11-10)
Ricardo Walther lost to Adrien Rassenfosse 1-2 (6-11, 9-11, 11-9)
Sayali Wani bt. Manika Batra 2-1 (5-11, 11-8, 11-10)
