WTT Champions Macao 2024: Manika exit in first round, lose to Miyuu Kihara

Facing world no.28 Miyuu Kihara, Manika lost in straight sets, in what was her first international outing since the Olympics.

Update: 2024-09-11 06:58 GMT

FILE PHOTO of Manika Batra

Indian paddler Manika Batra lost her opening fixture against Japanese Miyuu Hikara in the 2024 WTT Champions Macao competition, at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, on Wednesday. 

In what was her first international outing since the Paris Olympics, Batra lost the game in straight sets to the world no.28 (11-8, 11-5, 11-6). 

She was the only Indian competing at the WTT Macao champions and with her exit, the Indian challenge comes to an end. 

The first game started well for the Indian and Manika raced to a 6-2 lead. But the Japanese fought back well, and won the game 11-8, claiming nine points against Batra's two after going down 2-6. 

The second game saw Hikara take the upper hand right from the beginning and after taking a two-point lead at 4-2, she did not look back and quickly wrapped up the game 11-5 and put herself in a commanding position to win the tie. 

The final game was more evenly contested and at 5-5, Batra had a chance to mount a fightback. But Hikara did not let that happen.

A string of four consecutive points from the Japanese all but closed out the tie and eventually won the third game as well, 11-6. 

The Japanese will face Puerto Rican Adriana Diaz in the round of 16 of the WTT Macao Champions 2024. 

Batra, along with other Indian paddlers will feature in the upcoming China Smash, set to begin on 26th September, 2024. 


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