Indian paddlers' winning run continues in Jaipur

Jaipur, June 1 (UNI) Hosts India continued their winning spree at the 17th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship team event with the men paddlers outplaying Canada and their female counterparts narrowly escaping Nigeria in their respective quarterfinal league match here today.

Led by the country's number one player Achanta Sharath Kamal, the men paddlers today defeated Canada 3-0, while the women's team had to face a stiff challenge from Nigeria but eventually managed to pocket the tie 3-1.

In men's section, the trio of Subhajit Saha, Sharath Kamal and Soumyadeep Roy won their respective matches in straight sets.

While, Subhajit made a short work of Pirre Luc Hinse with a facile 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 victory, Sharath Kamal routed Ling Kun Yang 11-8, 11-5, 11-3. Soumyadeep Roy then rounded off the tie with 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 win over Andre Ho.

However, it was a totally different ball game in the women's section, as the Indian eves had to battle hard for their victory.

They suffered an early jolt when national champion Mouma Das lost her opening match against Funke Opshonaike 5-11, 9-11, 12-10, 5-11.

But thereafter Poulomi Ghatak and Shaiamini Kumaresan took up the Indian challenge and did not give any chance to their African opponents. Ghatak defeated Bose Kaffo 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 11-5, while Kumaresan beat Cacillia Otu Offiong 3-11, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5. Ghatak wrapped up the tie for India with 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 win over Funke Oshonaike.

In the men's section, defending champions India will now meet Australia to complete their quarterfinal league encounters, while the eves will be up against formidable Singapore.

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