The Indian table tennis players will next face Japan\u2019s world No. 33 Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara in the semifinals on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
By reaching the semifinals, Ayhika and Sutirtha are assured of a medal as all four paddlers in this stage are awarded medals in the Asian Table Tennis Championships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Mukherjees are now set to become the first all-Indian women\u2019s doubles pair to win a medal in the Asian Table Tennis Championships. India's Gool Nasikwala had won a gold medal for India in women\u2019s doubles but that came in partnership with Japan\u2019s Yoshiko Tanaka in the inaugural edition played in 1952.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This is the third historic feat for Ayhika and Sutirtha since June 2023 or so as they had set a record by winning India\u2019s first medal in the women\u2019s doubles at the Asian Games by claiming a bronze medal. In Tunis last year, the Mukherjees became the first Indians to win the WTT Contender women\u2019s doubles title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Ayhika and Sutirtha kept the Tricolour flying, India suffered a setback in the women's singles when 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manika Batra lost her pre-quarterfinal match and was eliminated on Saturday. The world No. 29 Indian lost to world No. 7 Miwa Harimoto of Japan 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In men\u2019s singles, Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar shocked higher-ranked South Korean opponents before losing in the Round of 16. In the Round of 32, Manush Shah, ranked 115th, defeated world No. 23 South Korean An Jaehyun 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-6). World No. 60 Manav Thakkar won 3-2 (5-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7) against world No. 14 Jang Woojin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the Round of 16, Shah lost 3-2 (12-14, 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 8-11) to Chinese Taipei\u2019s world No. 11 Lin Yun-Ju while Thakkar was beaten 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-8) by Hong Kong China\u2019s world No. 137 Chan Baldwin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harmeet Desai, ranked 91st, lost 3-0 (14-12, 11-7, 11-7) to South Korea\u2019s Lim Jonghoon, world No. 30, in his round of 32 match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the Round of 16, Shah lost 3-2 (12-14, 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 8-11) to Chinese Taipei\u2019s world No. 11 Lin Yun-Ju while Thakkar was beaten 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-8) by Hong Kong China\u2019s world No. 137 Chan Baldwin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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