Manika Batra changed history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the singles pre quarterfinals at the Olympic Games with 4-0 win over world number 18 Prithika Pavade on Monday.
The 29 year old Manika dominated from start to finish for an 11-9 11-6 11-9 11-7 win over Prithika. Manika reached the round of 32 at the Tokyo Olympics and bettered the performance on Monday.
“I am happy that I beat a French player in Paris. I defeated a higher-ranked player. I did not think of creating history and making the pre-quarters, there are more rounds, I will take it match by match and give my best as I always do,” Manika told PTI after her match.
“I had planned to play to her forehand as discussed with my coach but I was getting the points on her backhand, so I did not change the tactics. I did play a few shot on her forehand too, I did not want her to think that I am playing only on her backhand,” she added.
“It was a tough match. Staying relaxed helps me both on and off the court. I do breathing exercises that help me during the match.I will give my best whoever I play against in the next round,” she said.
Prithika’s parents are originally from Puducherry but the family migrated to France in 2003. She was born in a Paris suburb a year later.
The 19-year-old Prithika had competed in the Tokyo Olympics, making a first-round exit but has improved considerably since then as she is currently ranked 18th in the world as against 28th rank of Manika.
Left-handed Prithika entered the Olympics with great momentum after reaching her first WTT final in June. However, she struggled against Manika, who delivered a strong performance and won decisively. Manika carried the momentum in the second game, taking a 3-1 lead.
Prithika fought hard to even the score, causing Manika to make mistakes. However, Manika’s effective attacks on Prithika’s backhand earned her points quickly, putting her ahead 9-6. Prithika’s repeated errors on her backhand allowed Manika to win the second game.
The experienced Indian player raced to a 3-0 lead in the third game, as Prithika had difficulty returning shots.
