UTT 2024: Goa Challengers pip U Mumba 8-7 to inch closer to semi-finals

Defending champions Goa Challengers inched closer to the semi-finals with a narrow 8-7 win against U Mumba in a closely-contested UTT 2024 tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Monday.

Goa are now at the third spot on the league table with 37 points while U Mumba are placed fourth with 36 points.

In the first men’s singles, Aruna Quadri edged out Harmeet Desai 2-1 (11-7, 4-11, 11-10) in a tight contest to hand U Mumba the early advantage.

Maria Xiao bolstered the lead for U Mumba with a 2-1 (9-11,11- 10-11, 11-9) win in the first women’s singles against Yangzi Liu, who has now lost three matches on the trot this season.

Yangzi Liu made amends when she joined Harmeet Desai to beat the U Mumba pair of Maria Xiao and Manav Thakkar 2-1 (11-6, 10-11, 11-7) in the mixed doubles match to reduce the deficit for Athlead Goa Challengers.

Mihai Bobocica came up with an impressive performance to beat the talented Manav Thakkar 2-1 (11-6, 11-8, 7-11) as Goa drew level at six points each.

Yashaswini Ghorpade sealed the tie in favor of the defending champions with a 2-1 (11-8, 11-10, 10-11) victory against Sutirtha Mukherjee.

Detailed scores:

Harmeet Desai lost to Aruna Quadri 2-1 (7-11, 11-4, 10-11)

Yangzi Liu lost to Maria Xiao 2-1 (11-9, 10-11, 9-11)

Yangzi Liu/ Harmeet Desai bt Maria Xiao/Manav Thakkar 2-1 (11-6, 10-11, 11-7)

Mihai Bobocica bt Manav Thakkar 2-1 (11-6, 11-8, 7-11)

Yashaswini Ghorpade bt Sutirtha Mukherjee 2-1 (11-8, 11-10, 10-11)

What next in UTT 2024?

On Tuesday, former champions Chennai Lions will lock horns with Puneri Paltan Table Tennis with one eye on making it to the last-four stages.