Abhinandh and Szocs lead Dempo Goa to a decisive victory against U Mumba in the UTT season opener.

In a thrilling opening match of the Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, the Dempo Goa Challengers showcased their prowess by defeating the defending champions, U Mumba TT, with a score of 10-5. The event took place at the Shyama Prasad Indoor Stadium on Thursday, where 18-year-old P.B. Abhinandh emerged as the star of the day.

Abhinandh, currently ranked 210 in the world, delivered an impressive performance against French player Lilian Bardet, who holds the 42nd position globally. The young Indian displayed a remarkable blend of aggressive tactics and precision, winning the match decisively with scores of 11-6, 11-2, and 11-3. From the very beginning, Abhinandh maintained relentless pressure on Bardet, utilizing quick serves and sharp returns that left his opponent struggling to keep pace.

The teenager, who is also ranked 11th in the junior-19 international circuit, attacked vigorously at every opportunity, whether receiving serves or during rallies. Bardet found it challenging to anticipate Abhinandh’s rapid serves, which allowed the Indian player to secure early leads in all three games. Whenever Bardet attempted to shift the momentum, Abhinandh's solid defense quickly transitioned back into offensive play, thwarting any comeback attempts.

Following Abhinandh's stellar performance, Bernadette Szocs, the most expensive player in the auction, further solidified Goa's lead with a convincing victory over Nithyashree Mani. Szocs, ranked 25th in the world, dominated the match with scores of 11-7, 11-9, and 11-7, showcasing a nearly flawless game that kept her opponent at bay. Despite a slightly sluggish start, Szocs quickly found her rhythm, controlling the match and preventing Mani from gaining any significant ground.

With a commanding 6-0 lead after the first two matches, the Goa team entered the mixed doubles match with high confidence. Abhinandh teamed up with Szocs to face Manush Shah and Anna Hursey, ultimately winning the match 11-7, 7-11, 11-6. This victory effectively sealed the contest in favor of the Dempo Goa Challengers, marking a successful start to their season.

The final results of the match were as follows: P.B. Abhinandh defeated Lilian Bardet (11-6, 11-2, 11-3), Bernadette Szocs triumphed over Nithyashree Mani (11-7, 11-9), and the duo of Abhinandh and Szocs won against Manush Shah and Anna Hursey (11-7, 7-11, 11-6). However, Alvaro Robles and Syndrela Das faced defeats in their respective matches, contributing to the final score of 10-5 in favor of the Goa team.