Ayhika Mukherjee Upsets World No. 13 in Ultimate Table Tennis Season Opener

Ayhika Mukherjee defeated World no. 13 Bernadette Szocs, leading Puneri Paltan to victory in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 opener. Following this, Manush Shah and Ankur Bhattacharjee secured wins against higher-ranked opponents. The mixed doubles round favored Ahmedabad SG Pipers, while Natalia Bajor added another win for Puneri.

Ayhika Mukherjee continued her impressive run by defeating World no. 13 Bernadette Szocs 3-0 in the opening match of the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 season. This victory set the stage for Puneri Paltan Table Tennis' triumph at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.

The event saw captains Joao Monteiro and Manush Shah clashing in the first men's singles match. Despite Monteiro's higher ranking and experience, Shah bounced back from an initial loss to claim victory, showcasing remarkable precision and power.

In the mixed doubles round, Monteiro, Ayhika, Shah, and Szocs returned to the table, resulting in a 2-1 win for Ahmedabad SG Pipers. Ankur Bhattacharjee then dominated World no. 90 Lilian Bardet, ensuring Puneri Paltan's overall victory. Natalia Bajor capped the event with a win over Ahmedabad's Reeth Rishya, adding further glory for Puneri Paltan.

(With inputs from agencies.)