Manika Batra both achieve a doubles QF with Sathiyan, Archana Kamath

Two Indian pairs advanced to the semifinals of the World Table Tennis Championships in Houston on Friday, and Manika Batra survived in both the women’s and mixed doubles games.

As the losing semi-finalists get bronze, the Indian pairs are one win away to secure a place on the podium.

Tenth-placed Batra and Archana Kamath defeated Hungarians Dora Madarasz and Georgina Pota in four games and won 3-1 (11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7). They now face Sarah de Nuette from Luxembourg and Xia Lian Nin, the world’s 60th pair.

Batra then partnered with G Sathiyan to win an exciting battle victory over Wang Wang, China, and Kanak Jha, USA. The Indians returned from two games and won the match points 3-2 (15-17, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7). Next, Batra and Sathiyan will face Japan’s 20th-ranked Japanese Hina Hayatan and Tomokazu Harimoto.

“I think our combination works really well. At first we were a little nervous because this was the first time in this room. After 0-2 I don’t know what happened to both of us because we played great. I think every Indian encouraged us, so thank you all, ”Batra said quoted as saying by World Table Tennis.

“The first game was tight and we were a little disappointed with its loss, while the second game was also tight. The match was pretty even, although the result was 0-2, Sathiyan added.

“Then I think we started to find a rhythm, become more aggressive and started to connect well. We didn’t give up until the last point, so I think the win is fantastic and we’re really glad we made it to the semi-finals. We feel like we’re playing at home here in America, so thank you to all the Indian fans here.

However, it was a curtain for another pair of mixed doubles as Archana Kamath and veteran Sharath Kamal fell in the quarters to Emmanuel Lebesson and Yuan Jia Nan in straight matches 0-3 (11-4, 11-8, 11-5). .)

Earlier in the semi-finals of the mixed doubles, Batra and Sathiyan defeated Adriana Diaz and Brian Afanador of Puerto Rico 3-1, while Sharath and Archana defeated Omar Assaria and Dina Meshref of Egypt 3-2.

In the women’s doubles, Batra and Kamath had reached the 16-semifinals by beating Belgian Margo Degraef and Nathali Marchetti 3-0.

Sathiyan had lost her 32nd semifinal in the men’s singles after stretching the world list to 17 Aruna Quadr in seven games in the thriller. In the men’s doubles, Sharath and Sathiyan fell against Swedes Anton Kallberg and Truls Moregard. The Indians had said goodbye to the first round.