According to reports reaching here, both Manika and Ayhika
have entered the girls’ singles pre-quarterfinals earlier this afternoon. They
await their Japanese and Croatian opponents in the last 16 stage, the matches
of which are slated for later this evening.
In the main draw which began this morning, Manika defeated
Lee Zion of South Korea
4-1 (11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-7) comfortable, despite being stretched in
two games after the Korean had levelled the score at 1-1.
In the decider, Manika proved too hot as her Korean rival
eventually found out when the Indian shut out her challenge with ease,
attacking on both flanks. Manika, who is ranked 36 in the world, will now take
on Japanese Ito Mima, ranked 19 rungs below, in her next round.
But what drew the attention of the spectators and players
alike was the way Ayhika Mukherjee upset third-seed Japanese Kato Miyo. The
Indian won 4-2 (6-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-8) despite trailing 1-2 after
three games. However, the credit must go to the Indian for finished things
clinically, including winning a love game against world’s eighth ranked player
in the fourth set which paved her way forward.
Once she tied the score, Ayhika was both attacking and
blocking well with equal felicity to surprise her rival and everyone else in
the Japanese camp. The Indian will now take in the pre-quarters Croat
Rakovaclea, whom Ayhika had beaten in the team even earlier.
A TTFI Press release
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