Sharath Kamal of Singapore defeats World No. 13 to advance to round of 16 in Singapore Smash tournament

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) Commonwealth Games gold medalist Achanta Sharath Kamal made history by advancing to the round of 16 of the Singapore Smash for the first time after defeating World No. 13 Darko Jorgic 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9) on Wednesday. The victory showcased Sharath’s exceptional skill and determination on the table tennis court.

Darko Jorgic started strong, winning the first game, but was soon overtaken by Sharath Kamal’s dominance. Sharath’s powerful smashes and precise drops proved too much for Darko to handle, leading to an impressive comeback and victory for the Indian athlete.

Throughout the match, both players engaged in thrilling rallies with Sharath displaying his composure and skill to outsmart his opponent. Sharath’s journey to the round of 16 included victories over tough opponents like Andre Istrate, Yuta Tanaka, and Deni Kozul, earning his well-deserved spot in the main draw.

In the round of 64, Sharath continued his winning streak by triumphing over Nicolas Burgos of Chile with a convincing 3-0 victory (11-5, 11-4, 11-6). Looking ahead, Sharath will face either Lee Sang Su of Korea or Omas Assar of Egypt in his quest for a spot in the quarterfinals, as he aims to make a mark in the Singapore Smash tournament.

In the women’s doubles round of 16, the Indian pair of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee faced a tough challenge against Romanian-Spanish players Adina Diaconu and Maria Xiao, ultimately falling short with a score of 1-3 (4-11, 14-12, 3-11, 9-11). Despite this loss, the Mukherjee sisters showcased their talent and fighting spirit throughout the match.

Sutirtha and Ayhika Mukherjee’s journey to the round of 16 included a thrilling victory over Japanese pair Miu Hirano and Miwa Harimoto, with a close score of 3-2 (11-8, 5-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9). The Indian duo displayed great teamwork and determination to secure their spot in the round of 16, highlighting their potential in the women’s doubles event of the Singapore Smash tournament.

–IANS
hs/