UTT 2024: Ahmedabad SG Pipers claim top spot with 9-6 win over U Mumba

Chennai: Ahmedabad SG Pipers edged past U Mumba TT with a closely fought 9-6 win in tie nine of UTT 2024 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Tuesday. 

With this win, Ahmedabad went top of the points table with 24 points in three games, eclipsing the Bengaluru Smashers, who are on 21 points after two games. 

The tie opened with Manush Shah taking on Manav Thakkar and the latter showed his experience and skill in securing a 2-1 win over his Ahmedabad counterpart. After cruising through the first game with a dominating 11-2 win, Manav had to work hard for his second game win, with Manush pushing him all the way through. 

The third game saw Manush Shah get a victory and hand Ahmedabad a reprieve.

The second fixture was played between Reeth Rishya and Sutirtha Mukherjee and despite losing the first game 5-11, Reeth staged a brilliant comeback in the subsequent games, securing a comeback 2-1 win and bringing Ahmedabad Pipers level after two fixtures. 

This was her first match win in UTT 2024, after losing her first two fixtures in the previous games. 

Speaking about her fixture after the match, Reeth talked about how the coach kept her calm despite losing the first game.

"Santos told me to not take the pressure, he told me we have the better players who can get the job done and all I needed to do was to focus on my match one point at a time and backed me to do the job," she told the media. 

Bernie and Manush bring the heat

The mixed doubles saw a crushing 3-0 win (11-4, 11-8, 11-8) for the Ahmedabad Pipers, thanks to the brilliance of Bernadette 'Bernie' Szocs and Manush Shah, who gave their counterparts Marie Xiao and Manav Thakkar no chance across the fixture. 

Pushed to the brim, U Mumba had some lifeline thanks to Quadri Aruna's 2-1 win over Lilian Dardet (11-5, 9-11, 11-9). The final match was played between Bernie and Marie Xiao and Bernie, the highest-ranked player of UTT 2024, secured a 2-1 win, handing Ahmedabad a 9-6 win in the tie. 

Detailed Scores

Ahmedabad SG Pipers bt U Mumba TT 9-6:

Manush Shah lost to Manav Thakkar 1-2 (2-11, 9-11, 11-8);

Reeth Rishya bt Sutirtha Mukherjee 2-1 (5-11, 11-8, 11-7);

Manush/Szocs bt Manav/Xiao 3-0 (11-4, 11-8, 11-8);

Lilian Bardet lost to Quadri Aruna 1-2 (5-11, 11-9, 9-11);

Bernadette Szocs bt Maria Xiao 2-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-6)

What's next for both teams?

Ahmedabad will face second-place Bengaluru Smashers on 31st August, and U Mumba will return to action on the 30th August and are scheduled to face Chennai Lions.