• Source:JND
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India's men's and women's table tennis teams have successfully progressed to the pre-quarterfinals of the Asian Games 2023 by topping their respective groups.

The men's and women's teams registered convincing 3-0 victories against Nepal and Tajikistan respectively in Group F matches on Saturday, September 23.

India's women's team topped the group with two wins in as many matches and they will be facing Thailand in the round of 16. On the other hand, the men's team did the same while blanking Tajikistan to top Group F with an all-win record.

 

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Indian women had beaten Singapore to kick off the campaign on Friday. They started the match against Nepal on a winning note with Diya Chitale picking up the victory against Sikka Shreshta by 11-1, 11-6, and 11-8.

Ayhika Mukherjee doubled India’s lead with a 11-3, 11-7, 11-2 victory over Nabita Shreshta. Sutirtha Mukherjee then sealed the contest in India’s favour when she outclassed Evana Thapa 11-1, 11-5, 11-2.

Notably, the star players Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula were rested for this round.

The Indian men had earlier defeated Yemen and Singapore on Friday and were equally clinical and dominant against the Tajik side. Veteran players Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Achanta Sharath Kamal were not playing as they were rested for the particular fixture.

Manav Thakar provided a promising start to the Indian team as he defeated Afzalkhon Mahmudov 11-8, 11-5, 11-8. Manush Shah maintained the tempo with a 13-11, 11-7, 11-5 victory over Ubaydullo Sultonov as India took a 2-0 lead.

Harmeet Desai applied the finishing touches with an easy 11-1, 11-3, 11-5 win over Ibrokhim Ismoilzoda.

Earlier on Friday, India dominated the match against Yemen to secure a comprehensive victory.

 

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G Sathiyan kicked off the proceedings with a straight set (11-3, 11-2, 11-6) win. His friend Achanta Sharath Kamal made it 2-0 as he got past Ebrahim Abdulhakim Mohamm Gubran in just 17 minutes. India’s highest-ranked paddler Harmeet Desai then completed the formalities by beating Magd Ahmed Ali Aldhubhani 11-1, 11-1, 11-7.

They further continued to impress in Group F by beating Singapore in a closely fought win.