Ayhika Mukherjee and Sreeja Akula stunned the world’s top two players, Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi, in their respective singles matches to rattle the mighty China before the Indian women’s table tennis team narrowly fell short in the World Team Championships here on Friday.
Ranked a lowly 155, Mukherjee played the match of her life to pull off a stunning 12-10 2-11 13-11 11-6 win over world number one Sun in the opening singles of the group stage contest.
It was the first ever loss for Sun at the team event of World Championships, summing up the enormity of Ayhika’s achievement.
The unexpected win provided a massive boost to Sreeja, who made the day even more memorable for Indian table tennis by blanking world number 2 Wang Yidi in straight games 11-7 11-9 13-11 in the third singles.
However, star player Manika Batra losing both her singles and Ayhika going down in the fifth and deciding singles meant India lost the rubber 2-3. Nonetheless, it was a red letter day for the game in India with Ayhika and Sreeja doing the unthinkable.
“I really feel great to beat Sun Yingsha. Today was my day, she was doing great and I did very well. I was confident and I just told myself that I should enjoy the match,” said Ayhika, who used her anti spin rubber brilliantly to down the multiple time Olympic and World Championship medallist. The 26-year-old from Naihati in West Bengal trailed multiple times in the match but found a way to comeback.
She was down 7-10 in the first game but made it 10-10 with a cross court forehand. Sun netted a forehand for 11-10 and the Indian came up with a down the line backhand to pocket the first game.
However, India’s top-ranked player Manika disappointed losing both her matches to world number four Wang Manyu (3-11 8-11 15-13 7-11) and Sun (3-11 6-11 13-11 9-11).
With the tie locked at 2-2, the 26-year-old Ayhika was unable to recreate the magic of her opening match and went down in straight games to Manyu 9-11 11-13 6-11.
