Panaji: The final match of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 was the opener as well. Quite a coincidence, one might think. Not really.These teams made the right choices at the auction, appeared balanced, and were quite easily the best teams on paper. So, it made sense to start with a blockbuster clash. That they have now made it to the final should come as no surprise.U Mumba TT are the defending champions and will face their biggest challenge in Sunday’s final as they take on the might of two-time champions Dempo Goa Challengers at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Taleigao.Dempo Goa Challengers secured their place in the final with a comfortable 8-2 win against former champions Dabang Delhi TTC.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
On Saturday, captain Manush Shah and Anna Hursey starred as U Mumba carved out a commanding 8-3 victory against HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in the second semi-final.Goa Challengers had scored a morale-boosting 10-5 win against U Mumba in the opener, with Abhinandh P showing the way with an upset win against France star Lilian Bardet. Can they do it again?“To be honest, coach Elena (Timina) said we couldn’t have a better team,” Goa captain Alvaro Robles told reporters after the semifinal win against Delhi. “It’s a great combination of experience and youngsters. The players are all very talented, humble, learning all the time. It’s a very good sign for the team. I am happy to see young players delivering in important moments.”The Goa youngsters, particularly Abhinandh and Syndrela Das, will have to deliver when it matters the most: the final.It won’t be easy as U Mumba are in fine form too. Manush and Hursey, for example, delivered under pressure in the semis. Hursey contested six games across women’s singles and mixed doubles, winning five, while captain Manush remained flawless, winning all five games he played across his two matches against Kolkata.Result: U Mumba TT bt HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades 8-3; Lilian Bardet lost to Eduard Ionescu 1-2 (9-11, 10-11, 11-8); Anna Hursey bt Ayhika Mukherjee 2-1 (11-8, 11-5, 8-11); Manush Shah/Anna Hursey bt Ankur Bhattacherjee/Ayhika Mukherjee 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-2); Manush Shah bt Ankur Bhattacharjee 2-0 (11-7, 11-5).
