Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2017, day 1 highlights: Falcons beat RP-SG 15-12 in opener

Wu Yang is named foreign player of the tie!

Sanil Shetty is awarded the best Indian Player of the tie!

Sofia Polcanova ensured @RPSGMavericks ended the tie on a high as she won all 3⃣games!#UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZrXR97 pic.twitter.com/LBOwN9SZ6l

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Sofia Polcanov giving some crucial points to RP-SG maverics. A 3-0 clean sweep over  Lee Ho Ching as she clinches the golden point in the final game. The tie ends 15-12!

Sofia Polcanov breezes past Lee Ho Ching with a 11-5 win in the second game. She leads 2-0 in the match!

Sofia Polcanova matched Lee Ho Ching shot for shot and then some! #UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZrXR97 pic.twitter.com/oVohulaxkj

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Just like the last game Sofia Polcanov has started off well and taken a 5-2 lead.

Sofia Polcanov with a thumping forehand to take the first game 11-9 against Lee Ho Ching!

End to end stuff as it’s 9-9  in the first game!

A thumping forehand and Lee has taken a two point lead at 8-6!

Polcanova has taken a 5-2 lead in the first game against Lee Ho Ching.

A reminder – Falcons have already won the tie and have a 15-9 lead over RP-SG Maverics! But each game is important because it is based on the points system!

The last match of the day now – Lee Ho Ching vs Sofia Polcanova

A strong fightback from Gerell to thump Apolonia 11-3 in the 3rd game. He takes the match 2-1.

Gerell running away with teh game now. 7 game points!

Gerell with a strong counterattacking backhand and an inside out forehand to take a 8-2 lead.

Gerell takes the 2nd game 11-9 against Apolonia. Good comeback to stay in the match.

Sharath Kamal should come on fom the sidelines as Apolonia saves three game points.

Gerell has four game points now.

Gerell has a 8-5 lead in the second game.

The second game is underway!

Apolonia takes the first game 11-9 against Gerell.  Apolonia used his forehand top spins to good effect in that game.

Archana Kamath comes back strong in game 3! #UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZrXR97 pic.twitter.com/G0v9Y7f11k

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Gerell getting fired up and forcing Apolonia into making mistakes! He takes a 7-5 lead now.

Tiago Apolonia playing the patient game with the lobs and waiting for Gerell to make mistakes.

Apolinia has taken a 3-1 lead in the first game against Garell.

Falcons lead 13-8 against RP-SG Maverics, they need just one point to win the tie!

Next up – Par Gerell vs Tiago Apolonia

Wu Yang sweeps it 3-0 against Archana Kamath!

Archana being too impatient here. Yang has four game points now.

Archana finally getting some confidence back with three points in a row. She is getting used to Yang’s spin now.

Archana still not getting a sniff of Yang’s chops and spins.  A lot of different spins churned out in the middle with Yang hitting a strawberry shot! Wu has taken a 5-2 lead.

Wu Yang with another stroll in the park with a 11-4 win in 2nd game. She’s taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the match.

Archana not moving quickly. She’s los a bit of confidence it seems as she has lost a bit of condifence.

Archana getting frustrated. She trails 0-5 in the second game!

Wu Yang with a easy 11-2 win in the first game against Kamath!

Wu Yang is running away here. Leading 10-2. Archana is absolutely clueless with her forehand topspins.

After a riveting smash from Kamath to clinch the first point, Yang has things under control with a mix of offense and defense to take a 4-1 lead.

You can see what this means to @ShettySanil 👏#UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZrXR97 pic.twitter.com/kdiAGulusP

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Archana Kamath – The 18-year-old is an attacking player. Kamath has achieved plenty with Gold in the 2015 French Open being her biggest achievement yet

This will again be interesting with Defense vs Offense!

It’s Wu Yang vs Archana Kamath now!

Falcons lead 10-8 in the tie against RP-SG Maverics!

Sanil screams in delight as he takes the third game and the match 2-1.

A forehand into the body of Apolonia gives Sanil a 8-7 lead.

Sanil has two game points now!

Apolonia with a strong reply and four points in a row to lead 6-5.

Sanil has been placing his forehand topspins really well, targetting Apolonia’s backhand who doesn’t have time to reach. Sanil has taken a 5-2 lead in the 3rd game.

Sanil wins the second game 11-10.  Another rasping forehand to take the golden point and the game. It’s 1-1 in the match.

A counter-attacking forehand from Sanil And he lets out a huge roar.

Apolonia has two game points now but Samil saves one.

Sanil finally gets a couple of forehands right after the top edges. He is hitting his angles well too.

Tiago Apolonia has had a better accuracy in his forehand top spins compared to Sanil.

Sanil finally taking the lead for the first time. He leads 5-4 at Time-out!

Sanil having an animated chat with the coaches!

Tiago Apolonia absolutely thumping Sanil in first game to win it 11-4!

A backhand right down the line from Sanil off Tiago Apolonia’s serve. But Apolonia hits back with two service points to lead 8-4.

Sanil not getting his forehand right. Trails by 1-4 in the first game against Tiago Apolonia.

Sanil starts off with a serve error to give away first point.

Chop. Chop. Chop. #UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZsfsxH pic.twitter.com/ETQsv7Zdbp

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Wu Yang didn't put a foot wrong, as @falconsttc take the lead. #UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZsfsxH pic.twitter.com/dPgZhnxtdx

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

It’s Sanil Shetty vs Tiago Apolonia in the men’s singles now!

Falcons have taken a 8-7 lead over RP-SG now!

Wu Yang totally dominating Winter there, takes the 3rd game 11-5 and sweeps the match 3-0!

Wu Yang with another powerful forehand to make it 8-5!

A couple of forehand errors from Winter gives Yang a two point lead. It’s 7-5!

Wu Yang going on the offensive there now. Rare aggression. She takes a 5-2 lead.

Wu Yang with a brilliant game. She takes the second game 11-6.

Beautiful sidespin from Wu Yang has even Winter smiling. She has a game point now!

Wu Yang with her patience game is letting Winter make mistakes. He has taken 3 points in a row to make it 8-5!

Sabina finally manages to rattle Wu Yang with her smash as she uses the angle well to draw level 4-4!

We are into the 2nd game now!

Wu Yang takes the first game 11-9 against Sabine Winter!

Winter bounces back with two points on the trott, Wu errs on her serve. Four points in a row for Winter She draws level 9-9.

Wu has taken a 9-5 lead. The chops are working well.

A couple of big forehands down the middle from Winter helps her draw level 5-5!

This is going to be exciting – Defense vs Offense

Wu Yang has taken a 3-1 lead in the first game against Winter.

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth! #UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZsfsxH pic.twitter.com/6Z87YzKf6H

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

The next encounter is between Sabine Winter and Wu Yang for Falcons and Mavericks respectively.

RP-SG still lead 7-5 over Falcons!

Pitchford takes the 3rd game 11-9. He had lost the first two. Great fightback and a valuable point earned.

Pitchford has a game point now! 10-9!

A thumping forehand from Fegrl and another point makes it 9-9! He is pumped up!

Fegerl has cut the lead down to just one. It’s 7-8!

Make it four in a row but Pitchford gets on to make it 8-5.

Fegerl fighting back with three points in a row. He trails 4-7!

A couple of powerful forehands from Pitchford gives him a 7-1 lead!

What. A. Rally!#UpTheGame #FALvMAV https://t.co/MKiKZsfsxH pic.twitter.com/POslxSGQtU

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Pitchford has started off well with a 4-1 lead in the 3rd game.

Fegerl takes the 2nd game too – 11-9. He leads 2-0 in the match against Pitchford.

Fegerl has a game point now at 10-9.

Pitchford errs on forehand smash to give Fegerl one point lead at 8-9

Pitchford has hit back hard to make it 5-5. Fegerl then makes a service error to give Pitchford a 6-5 lead.

It’s end to end stuff – 7-7 in the second game!

Pitchford with a heavy underspin pendulum serve to which Fegerl has no answer. The England international has taken a 5-2 lead in the second game.

Fegerl takes the first game 11-6 against Pitchford! A brilliant rally and Fegeral takes the point to win the game. Fegerl was pretty aggressive in that game.

Four game points for Fegerl who is on the attack!

Pitchford slowly getting back in the game with a brilliant backhand and beautiful forehand to cut the lead down to one. It’s 6-7!

Fegerel with a very quick serve to draw level 3-3.

Fegerl has fought back from 1-3 down to take a 5-3 lead now.

The fourth game of the tie is underway!

Double fist-pump as @RPSGMavericks seal Game 2! 💪💪#UpTheGame #FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/Bfz8LsSEU9

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

The Austrian Fegerl was a part of the 2015 European Championship and also, admirably, was a runner-up in the 2015 Polish Open

World no. 59, Liam Pitchford is a young sensation and favours the attacking style of play. At the World Team Championships in 2016 in Malaysia, he played a major role for his team, England who won the Bronze medal.

Next up – Liam Pitchford vs Stefan Fegerl

RP-SG still lead 5-4 over Falcons!

Lee Ho Ching & Sanil Shetty take the match 2-1 with a 11-5 win in the 3rd game of the 3rd match. That was Sharath’s last game of the night!

Three points in a row for Sharath-Polcanova it’s 5-10 now!

Sanil hits a clutch backhand to take a 8-2 lead and then a couple of forehand smashes to make it 10-2! 8 game points now for Sanil-Lee

Sanil-Lee have taken a 5-1 lead in the 3rd game.  They are targeting Sharath’s backhand.

The 3rd game of the 3rd match (mixed doubles) is underway now.

Sharath Kamal & Sofia Polcanova bounce back to take the second game 11-8! It’s 11 in the 3rd match!

Sanil-Lee save two game points!

Lee and Sanil losing their way slightly. Sharath with a powerful backhand smash makes it 9-6.

A lovely backhand return from Sanil. The Sanil-Lee pair takes a 6-5 lead.

Beautiful soft touch from Sharath Kamal and then a forehand error from sanil Shetty gives Sharath-Polcanova a 4-3 lead in the 3rd game!

The second game is underway!

Lee Ho Ching & Sanil Shetty take the first game 11-8 against Sharath Kamal & Sofia Polcanova. A thumping forehand smash from close to the net from Sanil gives the pair the winning point. 

Sanil-Lee pair fighting back, Sanil is brilliant with his forehand smashes and they have taken a 9-8 lead. What a turnaround!

Sharath using the angles really well, another forehand placement, the pair takes 3 points in a row to lead 8-5!

A couple of forehand errors from Lee Ho Ching and the Sharath- Polcanova pair takes a 5-3 lead. Sharath then hits a cracking forehand to make it 6-3!

A brilliant backhand from Sanil Shetty, the banana flip and he makes it 1-1.

Here’s something about Sanil Shetty – The 27 year old is a bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Championship. Former national champion. Left-handed attacking player. Plays in German League.

We have the mixed doubles match now – Lee Ho Ching & Sanil Shetty vs Sharath Kamal & Sofia Polcanova

How the Winter vs Sutirtha match went!

A cool performance by Winter! @RPSGMavericks get their first Match win of CEAT UTT!#UpTheGame #FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/SmaZky2KM0

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Sabine Winter takes the 3rd game too. A 3-0 cleansweep. RPSG lead 4-2 in the tie!

Winter has taken a 5-4 lead in the 3rd game!

That’s it! Winter takes the second game 11-7 and with that the match too. But we will have a third game as it’s a points based system!

Sutirtha’s lethal weapon is turning out to be her weakness – The backhand. A lot of errors gives Winter game point!

A couple of backhand errors from Sutirtha helps Winter draw level at 6-6!

Sutirtha still has a two point lead at 6-4!

Sutirtha is playing more closer to the table and playing it safe. She leads 5-3!

Some brilliant forehand attacks and Sutirtha draws level 2-2 in the second game.

Winter takes the 1st game 11-8 against Suthirtha Mukherjee!

Three game points for Winter now!

Winter with her strong topspin smashes and she takes two mor epoints. She leads 9-6.

It’s 6-6 now!

Brilliant placement from Suthirtha far from the reach of Winter on the forehand side. She has taken a 5-3 lead.

A couple of backhand errors from Sutirtha but Winter too erring on her forehand. It’s 3-3 in the first game!

Way to #UpTheGame, Sharath Kamal! 🔥🔥🔥#FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/XhL1b1XvHu

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Backhand counter is Sutirtha’s signature stroke! But former India player Neha Aggarwal informs that he forehand is pretty good as well!

Match 1⃣ to @falconsttc! Par Gerell gives his side 2⃣ team points in a thriller.
#UpTheGame #FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/iA1AfeF7RT

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

German Sabine Winter brings with her a plethora of experience. Winter won the European Championship Doubles in 2013 and 2016, while securing third position in the European Top 16 Cup and in the World Championships team event. She is an attacking player.

21-year-old Sutirtha, has been a rising star in table tennis circles in the country. She has won the gold medal in the second division of the World Team Championships. She also featured in the 2014 Youth Olympics.

2nd match of the tie we have Sutirtha Mukherjee vs Sabine Winter.

Gerell beats Sharath 2-1! 11-6, 8-11, 11-9! A brilliant serve from Gerell and Sharath hits it wide. Sharath flicks his bat in the air in disappointment!

Sharath survives – Pulls a couple back to make it 9-10!

Sharath Kamal errs on his forehand. Gerell has a match point!

Sharath Kamal fights back to cut the lead down to one. It’s 7-8 right now.!

Gerell takes four points in a row to take a 8-5 lead!

A classy rally and Sharath hits a rasping backhand to make it 3-3 in the final game of the match. Rally of the match so far.

The third game is underway!

Sharath Kamal lets out a roar as he takes the 2nd game 11-8! It’s 1-1 in the match!

A ripping backhand from Gerell keeps him in the game.  10-8!

Sharath has a game point now.  10-7!

A brilliant rally but Gerell is just pushing it to Sharath’s body. He falters on a couple of forehand shots to give Gerell a way back and cut the lead to just 2 points. It’s 6-8 right now.

Sharath still erring on his backhand. Giving away easy points.

Another low forehand inside out top spin smash from Sharath and he has taken a 7-2 lead.

Right into his body! @skaletgerell won the first ever CEAT UTT point! 👌#UpTheGame #FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/pSn9HLXi2s

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Second game is underway! Sharath hits a riveting inside out forehand to take a 3-1 lead!

Gerell wins the first game 11-6! He just took away the game in the second half and Sharath looked a bit flashy!

Gerell getting the back hand shot on Sharath’s body. Sharath’s weaker side is his backhand and he might know it very well!

Sharath has played twice against Gerell and lost both times!

A couple of forehand errors from Sharath Kamal. Gerell has taken a 6-5 lead.

Sharath has fought back to make 3-3. That top spin forehand is into play early on and astute placement too.

Gerell has started off well with opening two points. The first one was a rasping backhand off Sharath’s serve.

Right we are about to begin.

Sharath Kamal is 43rd ranked player in the world. His favourite shot is forehand topspin from closer to the net.

35-year old Gerell has an attacking style of play and with experience in abundance, the Swede has represented his country in three Olympics – 2008, 2012 and 2016, and has claimed the bronze medal in the European Championships. He is ranked 41 in the world.

First match – Par Gerell of Sweden vs Sharath Kamal

.@vishy64theking's a Grandmaster in table tennis too! 😎#UpTheGame #FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/qQZcNJ0DEq

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Viswanathan Anand declares UTT open as he unveils the Trophy!

Marcos Freitas is Dabang Smasher’s captain

Sharath Kamal will lead RPSG Maverics

Panagiotis Gionis will captain Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas

Joao Monteiro will lead Maharashtra United

Niraj Bajaj (Former National Champion): This is a historic moment for Indian Table Tennis. I really wish I was still playing hte game. This is something which we never imagined would see in India.

Viswanathan Anand is in the house to unveil UTT trophy!

At the ready! Not too long till we #UpTheGame! #FALvMAV pic.twitter.com/hs2WqShdNN

— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) July 13, 2017

Mixed doubles – Lee Ho Ching & Sanil Shetty vs Sharath Kamal & Sofia Polcanova

Women’s singles:

Sutirtha Mukherjee vs Sabine Winter

Wu Yang vs Sabine Winter

Wu Yang vs Archana Kamath

Lee Ho Ching vs Sofia Sofia Polcanova

Men’s singles: 

Par Gerell vs Sharath Kamal

Liam Pitchford vs Stefan Fegerl

Sanil Shetty vs Tiago Apolonia

Par Gerell vs Tiago Apolonia

We have the line-ups of tonights matches: 

There are 4 Men’s singles matches, 4 women’s singles and one mixed double

Here are the two teams that will be competiting in the tournament opener:

Falcons T.T.C. – Wu Yang (China), Lee Ho Ching (Hong Kong), Par Gerell (Sweden), Sanil Shetty, Liam Pitchford (England), Suthirtha Mukherjee, Arjun Ghosh, Priyadarshini Das

Coaches – Soumyadeep Roy and Francisco Santos

RP-SG Maverics – Stefan Fegerl (Austria), Sharath Kamal, Tiago Apolonia (Portugal), Sofia Polcanova (Austria), Sabine Winter (Germany), Archana Kamath, Birdie Boro, Amruta Pushpak.

Coaches – Sachin Shetty and Peter Engel

UTT Format: Here’s a quick look at the format: 

The tournament follows a round-robin format, i.e. each team plays the other once, with the top four making it into the semi-finals. The event will be played in an interesting format where each team will play nine matches. Each match will have three 11-point games. In the event when the scores are level at 10-all then the 11th point will be a ‘golden point’ and shall decide the winner. Consequently, each tie comprises of a total 27 games i.e. nine matches multiplied by three games. The team that wins 14 or more Games out of the 27 Games shall be the Winner of that respective tie.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the inaugural match of Ultimate Table Tennis. It is India’s first ever professional Table Tennis league where six clubs are pitted against one another. Today, RP-SG Mavericks will be up against Falcons TTC. All eyes will be on India’s face of table tennis Sharath Kamal Achanta, who will be playing in home turf, Chennai. He will represent the Mavericks, while the star from the Falcons will be World No. 11 among the females, Wu Yang from China. Exciting times for the sport and for the teams as we build up towards live action of the game.