Manika Batra in action at the Paris Olympics (AP)
Batra had to leave it all out on the court through 5 games of 6-11, 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 6-11 as the World No.8 Hirano outclassed the Indian.
Manika Batra’s fairytale campaign comes to a tough end as the Indian table tennis star fell to Japan’s Miu Hirano in 5 games to crash out in the Round of 16 of the Women’s Singles on Wednesday.
Batra had to leave it all out on the court through 5 games of 6-11, 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 6-11 as the World No.8 Hirano outclassed the Indian.
With her loss, Manika extends her historic run, now becoming the first women’s table tennis player from India to make it to the quarterfinals in singles at the Olympics.
Her Indian compatriot, Sreeja Akula will also have a chance at attaining the same feat, as she takes on China’s Yinsha Sun later on in the night.
There was nothing to separate both Batra and Hirano initially, as the pair traded blows to draw level at 6-6. It was then when Hirano wreaked havoc with her backhand, going off on a rampage with menacing topspin and securing the next five points in a row to seal the first game 11-6.
Manika got off to a positive start, building a 5-1 lead. But, Hirano continued to slam Batra with variation galore, leaving the Indian helpless as she took the lead.
Batra fought back to tie the game up at 9-9, but Hirano proved to be too much to handle and ended up clinching the game 11-9 to take a 2-0 lead over Batra in the match.
In the third game, just like last time, Batra built a neat four-pouint lead, keeping it at 5-1 again. But, once again just like before, Hirano came back with vengeance, forcing Batra into bad shots and drawing the game at 9-9.
Finally, Manika’s dedication after drawing level three times to push the Japanese to multiple game points, it was Batra who triumphed and clinched the game 14-12, to keep herself alive.
The tables had turned in Game 4, as Hirano came out of the gate taking the early lead at 4-1. Manika would fight back to keep the endeavour close at 9-8, but Hirano’s aggression and ingeniuty would once again overthrow Batra as she sealed the game 11-8 to take the 3-1 lead over the Indian.
One game away from victory, ‘Hurricane’ Hirano lived up to her name, building a neat 5-1 lead out the gate, and would never lose out on the lead, as she would go on to outclass Manika 11-6, and seal the match at 4-1.
Catch Paris Olympics 2024 Day 5 LIVE Updates Here. Stay updated with the latest from Olympics 2024. Explore India At Paris Olympics 2024 Today. Check the updated list of medal tally for Paris Olympics 2024. Check Paris Olympics 2024 Event Results.
