Table Tennis
ITTF World Cup 2025: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula bow out in group stage - Highlights
Catch all the highlights from the final day of the group stage action at the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, China.
Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra will compete at the ITTF World Cup 2025. (File photo)
Indian paddlers Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra were in action for their final group stage match at the ITTF World Cup 2025 in Macao, China, on Wednesday.
Both the Indian paddlers started with a win in their opening fixture on Monday and were hoping to continue the momentum in these final group matches, which were the virtual knockout for both Indian players.
Sreeja was up against the world no.13, Bernadette Szocs of Romania, whereas Manika took on the world no.23 Bruna Takahashi of Brazil.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 16 April 2025 2:18 PM GMT
The first game enters the deuce as Manika hits the net on game point
Game-1: Manika Batra (IND) 10-10 Bruna Takahashi (BRA)
- 16 April 2025 2:16 PM GMT
Bruna levels the score as Manika hits the net
Game-1: Manika Batra (IND) 7-7 Bruna Takahashi (BRA)
- 16 April 2025 2:15 PM GMT
Manika takes an early lead in the game as Bruna's shot deflects out from the top of the net
Game-1: Manika Batra (IND) 6-3 Bruna Takahashi (BRA)
- 16 April 2025 10:25 AM GMT
A group Stage exit for Sreeja Akula
Sreeja, who had a must-win encounter in her final group match against world no.13 Szocs, lost the first two games, ending her quest for the first-ever knockout stage at the ITTF World Cup.
Szocs, despite confirming her place in the round of 16 after the first two games, didn't drop the pressure and complete a clean sweep in the match, and went into the next phase with an unbeaten streak.
Final Score: Sreeja Akula (IND) 8-11, 6-11, 9-11, 8-11 Bernadette Szocs (ROU)
- 16 April 2025 10:17 AM GMT
Sreeja fails to win a single game in this match, having a disappointing end to the competition.
Game-4: Sreeja Akula (IND) 8-11 Bernadette Szocs (ROU)
- 16 April 2025 10:10 AM GMT
Sreeja's errors continue as looking for a clean sweep in the match
Game-4: Sreeja Akula (IND) 1-4 Bernadette Szocs (ROU)
- 16 April 2025 10:08 AM GMT
A better fight in the third game from Sreeja, but Szocs wins the match
Game-3: Sreeja Akula (IND) 9-11 Bernadette Szocs (ROU)
- 16 April 2025 10:06 AM GMT
Both players will play the final two games, but it will not change their future at this tournament
Szocs has already confirmed her spot in the round of 16 and will treat these two games as practice games.
