Asian Games medallist Ayhika Mukherjee handed Sofia Polcanova her first defeat of UTT Season 7 as HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades defeated Ahmedabad APL Pipers 9-6 to register their second victory of the campaign.
Ayhika Mukherjee Powers Kolkata ThunderBlades to Impressive Victory
Asian Games medallist Ayhika Mukherjee produced one of the standout performances of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7, handing Austria’s Sofia Polcanova her first defeat of the tournament as HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades defeated Ahmedabad APL Pipers 9-6.
The victory marked Kolkata’s second win of the season and showcased the team’s resilience after falling behind in the opening matches. Strong performances in the mixed doubles and singles contests helped the ThunderBlades overturn the deficit and secure a crucial triumph.
Ahmedabad Take Early Control
Ahmedabad APL Pipers made a positive start to the tie.
Belgian paddler Adrien Rassenfosse edged past Ankur Bhattacharjee in a closely fought encounter. After dropping the opening game, Rassenfosse bounced back by winning the final two games on Golden Point to give Ahmedabad an early advantage.
India’s Manika Batra then extended Ahmedabad’s lead with a hard-fought victory over Zeng Jian, clinching the deciding game 11-10 in a tightly contested match.
With two wins in succession, Ahmedabad appeared to be in control of the contest.
Mixed Doubles Turns the Tie Around
The momentum shifted dramatically during the mixed doubles fixture.
The Kolkata pairing of Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee delivered a dominant performance against Payas Jain and Sofia Polcanova, winning the opening two games comfortably.
Their victory reduced Ahmedabad’s lead and injected fresh confidence into the ThunderBlades camp.
Eduard Ionescu Levels the Contest
Romanian star Eduard Ionescu continued Kolkata’s resurgence with a commanding display against Payas Jain.
Ionescu won in straight games, levelling the overall tie and putting Kolkata in a strong position heading into the decisive women’s singles match.
His composed performance ensured that the momentum remained firmly with the ThunderBlades.
Ayhika Hands Polcanova Her First Defeat
The highlight of the evening came when Ayhika Mukherjee faced the previously unbeaten Sofia Polcanova.
After losing the opening game, Ayhika responded brilliantly by raising the intensity of her game. She claimed the next two games with aggressive shot-making and excellent control, wrapping up the final game in emphatic fashion with an 11-3 scoreline.
The victory not only sealed Kolkata’s overall 9-6 triumph but also ended Polcanova’s unbeaten run in UTT Season 7.
Individual Awards Recognise Standout Performances
Following the conclusion of the tie:
- Eduard Ionescu was named Player of the Tie and Foreign Player of the Tie.
- Ayhika Mukherjee received the Indian Player of the Tie award for her match-winning performance.
- Manika Batra earned the Shot of the Tie honour.
Dream UTT Juniors Semi-Final Line-Up Confirmed
Meanwhile, the Dream UTT Juniors competition, being held alongside Season 7, also witnessed an important result.
Dabang Delhi TTC defeated PBG Pune Jaguars 6-3 to book a place in the semi-finals.
The result confirmed the final four teams:
- Dabang Delhi TTC
- UP Prometheans
- U Mumba TT
- Dempo Goa Challengers
Later in the day, Dabang Delhi TTC was scheduled to face Dempo Goa Challengers in a rematch of the 2024 Dream UTT Juniors final, featuring two former champions.
UTT Continues to Boost Indian Table Tennis
Organised by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 features 42 players from around the world, including 14 Olympians.
The league continues to provide Indian paddlers with valuable exposure against top international talent while contributing to the long-term development of the sport through high-quality competition.
Key Takeaways
- HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades defeated Ahmedabad APL Pipers 9-6 in UTT Season 7.
- Ayhika Mukherjee handed Sofia Polcanova her first defeat of the tournament.
- Eduard Ionescu won his singles match and was named Player of the Tie.
- Kolkata’s mixed doubles victory proved to be the turning point of the contest.
- In Dream UTT Juniors, Dabang Delhi TTC reached the semi-finals with a 6-3 win over PBG Pune Jaguars.
FAQs
Who won the UTT Season 7 tie between Kolkata ThunderBlades and Ahmedabad APL Pipers?
HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades defeated Ahmedabad APL Pipers by 9-6.
Why was Ayhika Mukherjee’s victory significant?
Ayhika Mukherjee handed Sofia Polcanova her first defeat of UTT Season 7, helping Kolkata secure the overall victory.
Who was named Player of the Tie?
Eduard Ionescu received the Player of the Tie and Foreign Player of the Tie awards.
Who won the Indian Player of the Tie award?
Ayhika Mukherjee was named Indian Player of the Tie for her match-winning performance.
What happened in the Dream UTT Juniors competition?
Dabang Delhi TTC defeated PBG Pune Jaguars 6-3 to qualify for the semi-finals, joining UP Prometheans, U Mumba TT, and Dempo Goa Challengers in the last four.
