Asian Table Tennis Championships: Indian men finish with bronze after loss to South Korea

Doha: The Indian men’s table tennis team signed off with a bronze medal in the Asian Championships after losing to formidable South Korea 0-3 in the semifinals on Friday. The Indian team was on Wednesday assured of a medal after beating Iran 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Both the semifinalists secure a bronze. In the semifinals, the clinical South Koreans proved too tough for the Indians who failed to win a single tie. With a medal already in their pocket, the Indian paddlers took on the Koreans head-on. But the rampaging Koreans, also the top seeds, were a far better side. Starting the match for India, G Sathiyan found himself pushed to the corner straightaway as World No 12 Korean Woojin Jang brought into focus his backhand game and attacked throughout, often catching the world No 38 Indian on the wrong foot. The Korean eventually won 11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5 to provide the lead. Sathiyan was in a good position in his second game but allowed the Korean to take it to deuce before winning it on extended points. In contrast, A Sharath Kamal began well only to squander the 2-1 advantage. He allowed the world No. 22 Lee Sangsu to come back, especially in the last two games, and post a 7-11, 15-13, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9 triumph. Though Harmeet Desai did not begin well against Seungmin Cho, he brought back momentum to his game to lead 2-1. But the world No. 77, five places behind Harmeet, made most of the chances to win some crucial points to level 2-2. In the decider, none had any noticeable big-lead gain, both winning their service points. At 10-8, Harmeet could not force his opponent into mistakes allowing Cho to deuce. With service on, the Indian led 11-10, but that was all he could do as the Korean sealed his country’s place in the final with three straight points, including a breakpoint. Cho won 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11 in 43 minutes. The young Indian women’s team showed courage and commitment in positions playoff and beating Thailand 3-1 to finish fifth. The mainstay of India’s win was Olympian Sutirtha Mukherjee. Archana Kamath played the opener against the top-ranked Suthsani Sawettabut. The Thai, who is ranked No. 38 in the world, showed good form initially. But Archana caught up with her soon to level the score at 2-2, as the Indian picked four consecutive points to win. However, the experienced Thai prevailed 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9 by winning the decider. Teenager Phantita Pinyopisan was no match for Mukherjee, ranked 97 in the world. The Indian defeated her in 18 minutes to win the contest 11-5, 11-5, 11-6. Sreeja Akula then clinched her match 11-7, 11-6, 11-2 against another youngster Wirakarn Tayapitak. Mukherjee returned to the table for her reverse singles and tamed the fighting Sawettabut 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 117.