World TT: Sharath, Mouma help India move ahead

Dortmund (Germany): India's top paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal won both his singles which proved crucial as India defeated England 3-1 in the World Table Tennis Championships here this Friday.

The Indians will now take on Romania, who beat Italy 3-2, in the match for positions 25-28 later Friday night.

The women paddlers, on the other hand, had a tough outing against Slovakia but fought well to win 3-2. They will be meeting Australia in a late 25-28 positions match. Mouma Das had to do the star turn as she won the crucial rubber against Sona Hudecova 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8.

For both the men and women paddlers, the current championships have proved to be the best as they have been able to improve upon their previous performances. Indian men had in the last championships finished 34th while the women 37th.

"All our training in Austria before this event has stood us in good stead," said Sharath.

National coach Bhavani Mukherjee too praised the team members.

"There is a marked improvement by our paddlers, particularly the way Mouma Das and Sharath have fought their way to help India move up the ladder. It was important for Mouma put it across Hudecova in the decider and she never let her grip go in the fifth rubber," said Mukherjee.

Results:

Men: India bt England 3-1: (Sharath Kamal bt Pitchford Liam 11-7, 4-11, 11-4,11-13,11-2, Antony Amalraj lost to Paul Drinkhall 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 4-11, Soumyajit Ghosh bt Andrew Baggaley 11-9, 11-9, 16-18, 13-11, Sharath kamal bt Paul Drinkhall 11-6, 12-10, 13-11.

Women: India bt Slovak Republic 3-2: Ankita Das bt Sona Hudecove 5-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, Mouma Das lost to Barbora Balazova 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, K Shamini bt Andrea Daubnerova 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, Ankita lost to Barbora Balazova 8-11, 4-11, 4-11, Mouma Das bt Sona Hudecova 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8.