Team Herald
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NAVELIM: Favourites Ayhika Mukherjee (top seed) and Poymantee Baishya (second seed) were eliminated in the women’s singles setting the stage for a dramatic contest at the ongoing UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships underway at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim, on Sunday.
Further, upsets followed with fifth-seeded Moumita Datta, ninth-seeded Suhana Saini and 11th-seeded Swastika Ghosh also crashing out in the Round of 16. The series of surprises showcased the fierce competitiveness of the championship and the unpredictability of this high-stake sport. The men’s singles draw was no different, with top-seeded Manav Thakkar, third-seeded G Sathiyan, fourth-seeded Jeet Chandra and fifth-seeded Anthony Amalraj all facing early exits. Manav lost to Tamil Nadu’s P B Abhinand 3-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7 win.