Manika Batra scripts history, reaches Round of 16 for table tennis at Paris Olympics

Batra became the first Indian paddler, male or female, to reach the pre-quarters of an Olympic table tennis competition.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has made history as she advanced to the Round of 16 in the women’s singles event at the Paris Olympics 2024. This achievement is historic, as Batra became the first Indian paddler, male or female, to reach the pre-quarters of an Olympic table tennis competition.

On Monday, July 29, Batra triumphed over France’s Prithika Pavade with a decisive 4-0 victory (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7) in just 37 minutes.

The opening game was a nail-biter, with both players fiercely contesting every point. However, Batra eventually set up a game-point and then executed a powerful forehand to clinch victory. Her combination of attack and defense strategies effectively kept Pavade under constant pressure.

The second game was equally intense, with neither player having a clear advantage at 5-5. However, the game ended with Batra securing four game points.

Pavade, only 19 years old, struggled in the third game, taking a timeout at 0-3 to reconsider her strategy.

Batra, a medalist at both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, maintained her momentum in the final game. She secured six game points, and although Pavade saved three, Batra ultimately sealed her victory.

With this win, Batra progresses to the next round, where she will face the winner of the match between Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzu and Japan’s Miu Hirano. Meanwhile, India’s top-ranked player, Sreeja Akula, will aim to advance when she competes on Wednesday.