Preview: Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas and RP-SG Mavericks face off in Tie 11 of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) at the Thyagaraj Stadium on Sunday. There is no denying that both teams are desperately in need of a win, as Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas are fifth in the table with 32 points, while the Mavericks are one step ahead of their opponents with 37 points, going into the clash.
Sharath Kamal Achanta of RP-SG Mavericks in action during the practice session of the UTT. Ultimate Table Tennis
The Yoddhas are heading into Sunday’s clash at the back of a humiliating defeat against Falcons TTC a few days ago. Apart from Polina Mikhailova’s 3-0 win over Sutirtha Mukherjee, the Yoddhas hardly troubled the Falcons in any of the Matches. As a result, they endured the biggest defeat in the competition so far. There is no doubt that the thrashing defeat would have surely dented their confidence, and it will be interesting to see their approach in today’s clash against the Mavericks.
On a positive note for the Yoddhas, Doo Hoi Kem has been their star performer so far, as the 20-year-old bailed the team out in crunch situations many times. After suffering a shocking 3-0 loss against the in-form Wu Yang in the last Tie, Kem would be hoping to come good against the Mavericks outfit on Sunday.
Aruna Quadri’s inconsistency has been a problem for the Yoddhas and the talented African will be tested in today’s clash against the likes of Sharath Kamal & Co.
On the other hand, RP-SG Mavericks endured two back-to-back defeats, before claiming a nail-biting 14-13 win against Dabang Smashers TTC. Going into this clash, the biggest positive for them is the rollicking form of Sharath Kamal, as the Indian veteran won both his Matches in the previous Ties against the World No. 8, Won Chung Ting and Marcos Freitas.
In addition to his heroics in the Men’s Singles category, Kamal has also been stupendous in Mixed Doubles. The Yoddhas could be in for a tough time against the 35-year-old tonight.
Sabine Winter has been dismantling her Indian opponents so far, but the same cannot be said in the foreign category as she is yet to win a match against a foreign opponent. The German would be hoping to end that underwhelming record when she gets to the table against the Yoddhas in tonight’s encounter.
Updated Date: Jul 23, 2017 23:08:15 IST
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Highlights
ICYMI: Shot of the day, by India's very own Sharath Kamal
Oilmax-stag Yoddhas win the tie 16-11 against RP-SG Mavericks
Mikhailova wins the final match 2-1 after losing the first game. She has been exceptional in the tournament as well as tonight. The tie ends with Yoddhas winning it 16-11 against Mavericks.
Aruna has played some unreal shots- wide of the table, hooking forehands, running forehands, bending away or off balance, doesn't really matter, he has made sure that he has got behind the ball to smash it across. And put the ball back on the table. He wins the final game and with that Yoddhas take an insurmountable lead in the Tie. Yoddhas 14-10 Mavericks
She wins it after losing two match points. Yoddhas lead 11-10 in the Tie. Super show by Batra she wins the game 11-5 and takes the match 2-1
Doo Hoi Kem has been swift and her smash have come out perfectly. Another dominating performance by the Hong Kong paddler. She has given her Team the lead in the Tie as she takes all-3 points. Tie score tilts in Yoddhas' favour (8-7) but still there are 12 points to play for.
But, she has won the final two points to take the game. She yells after winning the first game, as she always does. Tie score: Yoddhas trail 7-6
And there it is! Pucar hits it long and out to lose the game 11-5. Apolonia completes his second clean sweep of the day. 6/6 for the Portugese! Tie score: Mavericks 7 -5 Yoddhas
Another forehand top spin winner from the edge of the court get it across the table, wins the match for them. They take the match 2-1 and now the Tie reads 5-4 in Mavericks' favour.
Yoddhas equalize Mavericks in the tie 3-3, as the world no. 28 brushes aside Archana Kamath 3-0.
Oh! Apolonia wins it 3-nil. Mavericks take all the points from the first match. Kumar has no answer to Apolonia's top spin and he cannot stretch it into the golden point. Tie score: Mavericks 3-0 Yoddhas
LIVE NEWS and UPDATES
23:08 (IST)
All the results of Day 11:
23:07 (IST)
Yoddhas take the much needed 16 points of the Tie, it will help their bid into the top 4 as the league progresses towards its final stages, before the knockout stages begin. For Mavericks it is looking very grim unless they pull off some huge wins. Mavericks' only positive today was Tiago Apolonia's 6 points, Sharath Kamal dropped one points in the singles tie and lost 2 in the mixed doubles. Aruna Quadri and Manika Batra brought out their A games, both in the individual as well as in the mixed doubles. We have another cracker of a Tie line up for us tomorrow as Maharashtra United battle it out against Shaze Challengers. As always we will be on the liveblog, do tune in. Thank you for joining us today. Wishing everyone a very goodnight!
22:52 (IST)
ICYMI: Shot of the day, by India's very own Sharath Kamal
22:52 (IST)
Aruna Quadri wins the Foreign Player of the Tie
22:50 (IST)
Manika Batra wins the Indian player of the Tie.
22:49 (IST)
Oilmax-stag Yoddhas win the tie 16-11 against RP-SG Mavericks
22:47 (IST)
Mikhailova wins the final match 2-1 after losing the first game. She has been exceptional in the tournament as well as tonight. The tie ends with Yoddhas winning it 16-11 against Mavericks.
22:45 (IST)
Winter is trailing to Mikhailova who has been powerful and skillful. Her backhand flicks were on point. Winter really hand no answer to her onslaught, but she was at her heels with grabbing couple of points off Mikhailova's mistakes and her forehand winners.
22:41 (IST)
Winter loses the second game 7-11. Mikhailova and Winter to fight it in the final game to decide who takes the match. Tie score: Mavericks 11-15 Yoddhas.
22:38 (IST)
Both team needs points to survive in the tournament Winter has shown a big heart here, but did the right thing!