Kolkata Thunderblades Break U Mumbai Streak, Both Teams Secure Semi-Final Spots

The seventh season of Ultimate Table Tennis reached a climax on Tuesday in Taleigao, Goa, where the host Kolkata Thunderblades halted U Mumbai’s run of victories with an 8‑7 scoreline.

Eduardo Ayonescu set the tone after an initial loss, turning the tables on Manush Shah with a 9‑11, 11‑8, 11‑7 outcome.

Tanisha Kotetcha then produced the match’s most decisive moment, taking down Anna Hershey—who had not known defeat this season—in straight games, 11‑6, 11‑4, 11‑4.

U Mumbai responded in mixed doubles, with Manush and Hershey reversing a first‑game setback to defeat Ankuru Bhatta‑Choudhary and Tanisha 8‑11, 11‑4, 11‑7.

Lilian Bardet of France narrowed the gap, outplaying Ankuru 11‑9, 11‑8, 6‑11, while Nityashri Mani’s early wins over Jiang (11‑10, 11‑5) leveled the tie at 7‑7.

Jiang’s strong finish, an 11‑5 final game, handed Kolkata the overall win and locked in both squads for the semi‑finals.

Post‑match honors listed Tanisha as Indian Player of the Tie, Bardet as Match IQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie, and Ankuru as the Bisleri Shot of the Tie recipient.

The event, run under the Table Tennis Federation of India, features 42 athletes worldwide, including a notable contingent of 14 Olympians.