Manika Batra created history on Monday when she easily defeated home favourite and world number eighteen Prithika Pavade 4-0 to become the first Indian table tennis player to advance to the Olympic Games’ pre-quarterfinals. The 29-year-old Manika defeated the Indian-born Prithika 11-9 11-6 11-9 11-7 by dominating from the beginning to the end. For an Indian table tennis player, it ended up becoming one of the most memorable matches in Olympic history. Manika improved on her performance from Monday, when she advanced to the round of 32 in the Tokyo Olympics.
“I am happy that I beat a French player in Paris. I defeated a higher-ranked player. I did not think of creating history and making the pre-quarters, there are more rounds, I will take it match by match and give my best as I always do,” Manika told news agency after her match.
Manika didn’t plan on using her stratagem to target Prithika’s backhand before the match, but it worked quite well.
“I had planned to play to her forehand as discussed with my coach but I was getting the points on her backhand, so I did not change the tactics. I did play a few shot on her forehand too, I did not want her to think that I am playing only on her backhand.”
“It was a tough match. Staying relaxed helps me both on and off the court. I do breathing exercises that help me during the match.I will give my best whoever I play against in the next round,” she said.
Originally hailing from Puducherry, Prithika’s parents moved to France in 2003. A year later, she was born in a suburb of Paris.
Prithika, who is 19 years old, participated in the Tokyo Olympics and lost in the first round. Despite this setback, she has since progressed significantly, as she is now rated 18th in the world, ahead of Manika, who is placed 28th.
Left-handed Prithika had a fantastic run leading up to the Olympics, reaching the WTT final for the first time in her career in June, but she was unable to overcome Manika, who put on an impressive display.
The first game was close, with both players competing closely. At 8-8, Manika forced her youthful opponent to make a backhand error, and she won the match with a fierce forehand drive that Prithika was unable to parry.
In the second game, Manika had the upper hand and led 3-1.
In an effort to tie the score, Prithika struck back, forcing the Indian into mistakes. But Manika often won points by attacking Prithika’s backhand. She quickly took the lead, 9–6. Manika won the second game when Prithika made consecutive backhand faults.
As Prithika battled with her returns in game three, the seasoned Indian was unstoppable, winning 3-0.
A frantic Prithika gave it her all and won her first point with a powerful forehand. Manika continued to assault the French player’s backhand side with a 5-1 lead, bringing the score to 8-4.
Prithika, trailing 5–10, forced a play-off by collecting four consecutive points, but Manika just needed one more to win. With a backhand drive, the home team’s favourite lost the match and gave the Indians a 3-0 advantage.
In the fourth game, Manika took a 10-5 lead and five match points thanks to a fierce forehand. After 37 minutes, she won the match after Prithika netted her backhand and she converted the third.
