Ultimate Table Tennis Roundup: Kolkata Beats UP, Goa Triumphs Over Pune in Season 7

GOA, July 19 – The seventh season of Ultimate Table Tennis delivered two headline‑making matches on Sunday. HVR Kolkata Thunderblades routed UP Promethians 10‑5, bolstering their bid for a playoff berth, and the Dempo Goa Challengers kept their perfect run alive with an 8‑7 win over Pune Jaguars.

Ankur Bhatta‑Chari opened the tie by defeating Manav Thakkar in three tight games – 11‑10, 11‑10 and a dominant 11‑3. He then linked up with Aiyhika Mukherjee in mixed doubles, where the pair continued an unblemished record, giving Kolkata a sturdy platform.

UP’s Ricardo Walter fought back, taking straight games against Eduardo Ionescu (11‑9, 11‑8, 11‑8). Still, Aiyhika answered with a clean 11‑8, 11‑10, 11‑7 triumph over Saiyli Vani, ending any revival for the Promethians.

The post‑match awards recognized Ankur as “Match IQ Player” and “Indian Player of the Tie”, Walter as “Foreign Player of the Tie”, and Aiyhika for the “Shot of the Tie”.

In Goa, the night began with a setback as Umar Asar dropped the first game. He recovered to hand PBG Pune their first singles loss of the season (10‑11, 11‑5, 11‑8). Bernardet Jocks followed with an 11‑6, 11‑9, 11‑5 defeat of Prithika Pawde.

Pune narrowed the deficit in mixed doubles, but Snehit Suravjula’s 2‑11, 11‑8, 11‑10 win over Alvaro Robles forced a final showdown. Cinderella Das claimed the opening game 11‑7; Diya responded with 11‑7, and the 16‑year‑old sealed the tie 11‑8, extending Goa’s unbeaten streak.

Recognition went to Umar Asar (“Match IQ Player”), Cinderella (“Indian Player of the Tie”), Bernardet (“Foreign Player of the Tie”) and the “Shot of the Tie” award to Anirban.

Earlier in the tournament, UT Mumbai TT secured the Dream UTT Juniors crown by defeating Delhi TTC 5‑2. Somdev Sengar won the men’s singles, and alongside Ahona Re, captured mixed doubles, while Ahona also triumphed in the women’s singles, delivering Mumbai its inaugural junior title.