Mumbai, April 22: The Indian Junior Girls and Cadet Girls’ teams, both in convincing fashion advanced to the final of the Belgium Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championship, which is part of the ITTF World Junior Circuit, according to information received, here, on Saturday.
In the junior girl’s semi-finals, India proved too strong for Norway and raced to a 3-0 to book their place in the final. Archana Kamath , who had won the bronze medal in the junior girls’ singles, gave India a perfect start by defeating Rebekka Carlsen 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-7 ,11-7). Later, Moumita Dutta maintined India’s winning momentum by scoring a 3-1 win over Maja Gjelle in the second rubber. Moumitta recorded a 10-12, 11-5,11-7,11-8 win. Priyanka Pareek completed India’s clean sweep when she brushed aside the challenge from Sarah Horgen 3-0 (17-15, 11-5,11-7) in the third rubber.
The Indian cadet girl’s also impressed by storming to a 3-1 win against Hungary. Diya Chitale won both her singles encounters after Anusha Kutumble had won the opening rubber with a straight games 3-0 win against Veronika Menko. Later, Diya defeated Viola Phan by a 3-1 margin in the second. But, India suffered a defeat in the doubles match as Anusha and Diya went down fighting to Veronika and Viola in four games at 3-1. Diya ensured the triumph with a comfortable 3-1 victory against Veronika to confirm India’s passage to the summit round.
However the Indian boys were not as fortunate with both the Junior and Cadet teams losing in the semi-finals.
Junior girls’ team championship (semi-finals): India beat Hungary 3-1 – Anusha Kutumbale bt Veronika Menko 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-3); Diya Chitale bt Viola Phan 3-1 (11-8, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8); Anusha Kutumbale/ Diya Chitale lost to Veronika Menko/Viola Phan 3-1 (9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 12-14); Diya Chitale bt Veronika Menko 3-1 (11-6,11-7, 5-11,11-5).