Thaindian News

Guangzhou (China), Feb 26 (IANS) Top paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal led India to another emphatic victory at the 49th World Table Tennis Championships Tuesday, blanking Norway 3-1 in their fourth round Group E encounter here. Although India started their tie against Norway on a scratchy note with Soumyadeep Roy losing the first match against Jiangfeng Wang in straight sets 8-11, 6-11, 8-11, Sharath Kamal leveled the scores demolishing Geir Erlandsen 11-9, 11-6, 11-7.

Subhajit Saha then gave India lead defeating Espen Ronneberg 11-2, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9 and Sharath, later, squared the tie in India’s favour beating Wang 11-7, 2-11-2, 8-11, 11-6.

Meanwhile, it turned out to be disappointing outing for the women’s team as they lost their fourth round tie 2-3 against Australia.

In the first match, Neha Aggarwal battled past Miao Miao 11-4, 4-11, 4-11, 7-11, 11-5, but Poulomi Ghatak was no match for Fang Jian Lay 5-11, 11-13, 9-11 in the next.

Mouma Das then put India ahead with a 12-10, 11-7, 12-10 victory over May Cho. However, Poulomi and Neha failed to capitalise on the advantage losing both their remaining matches.

Poulomi went down straight sets to Miao 11-7, 11-6, 11-5, while Neha fought hard to go down 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 15-13, 2-11 in the deciding encounter.

With five points, Indian men’s team shares the second position of Group E along with Norway. Egypt leads the race by a point. While the women’s team is placed at the joint third spot of their group along with Indonesia with six points, which is being headed by England (eight points) followed by Australia (seven points).

Indian men’s team will play Thailand Wednesday, while their female counterparts will be up against Estonia.