Who won when Sreeja Akula played against Manika Batra?
It was only the second time that the two celebrated paddlers were facing off across the table in international competition. The World Table Tennis (WTT) Tour contest was to pit their varied styles, Manika known for her pimple rubber switches and short spurs defensively and the following blocks, and Sreeja who plays a more aggressive attacking style. As expected, it went down to the decider, but Sreeja prevailed.
In their last WTT meeting in 2021, Manika had won 3-2 holding off Sreeja's emergence as India No 1, but that overtaking has since panned out for the Hyderabadi.
Sreeja has been extremely consistent and getting some fine results in the form on Top 15 scalps at WTT Contenders, especially Hina Hayata recently. However, she had never beaten Manika at an international meet before and Sweden would see the turning of tables.
It was an attrition battle, but Sreeja pretty clearly went for the jugular – Manika's uncertain forehand to race to take the opener. The tall Delhi paddler, a CWG champ formerly, struck back using her backhand skiddy blocks and threw in all the tricks of spin to level scores.
The next two games followed the same pattern, even as urgency set in despite the prolonging exchanges. However, Sreeja who has been working on her mental strength came away far more poised in the decider. She kept a good intensity on attack, stayed precise and consistent and pounced on the short chops, remaining unerring in the serve. She would celebrate audibly pumping her fist.
In the next match though, Sreeja was caught out when she relapsed to using the long pimples, and couldn't sustain aggression against the much higher ranked opponent. An attacking style is what suits Sreeja, and though the pimples are strategic, she will need to build endurance to not revert to pimples once the novelty or surprise wears off for opponents.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Who won when Sreeja Akula played against Manika Batra?
Sreeja Akula edged out senior compatriot Manika Batra 3-2 in a much anticipated WTT Europe Smash 2025 clash in Sweden fell firmly on the much-awaited all-India women's singles clash. It was the Round of 64 and turned into a thriller. It was only the second time that the two celebrated paddlers were facing off across the table in international competition. The World Table Tennis (WTT) Tour contest was to pit their varied styles, Manika known for her pimple rubber switches and short spurs defensively and the following blocks, and Sreeja who plays a more aggressive attacking style. As expected, it went down to the decider, but Sreeja prevailed. In their last WTT meeting in 2021, Manika had won 3-2 holding off Sreeja's emergence as India No 1, but that overtaking has since panned out for the Hyderabadi. Sreeja has been extremely consistent and getting some fine results in the form on Top 15 scalps at WTT Contenders, especially Hina Hayata recently. However, she had never beaten Manika at an international meet before and Sweden would see the turning of tables. It was an attrition battle, but Sreeja pretty clearly went for the jugular – Manika's uncertain forehand to race to take the opener. The tall Delhi paddler, a CWG champ formerly, struck back using her backhand skiddy blocks and threw in all the tricks of spin to level scores. The next two games followed the same pattern, even as urgency set in despite the prolonging exchanges. However, Sreeja who has been working on her mental strength came away far more poised in the decider. She kept a good intensity on attack, stayed precise and consistent and pounced on the short chops, remaining unerring in the serve. She would celebrate audibly pumping her fist. In the next match though, Sreeja was caught out when she relapsed to using the long pimples, and couldn't sustain aggression against the much higher ranked opponent. An attacking style is what suits Sreeja, and though the pimples are strategic, she will need to build endurance to not revert to pimples once the novelty or surprise wears off for opponents.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Upcoming top-class sports infrastructure reshapes urban planning in Ahmedabad clusters
Ahmedabad: The ripple effect of Ahmedabad's ambitious vision to potentially host the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG) and 2036 Olympic Games here is now visible in the city's urban blueprint. As part of the plan for Olympic-ready infrastructure coming up in Manipur-Godhavi area, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) is redrawing neighbouring Shela's Town Planning Scheme 1, reallocating land to accommodate more parking space, and wider roads. In Manipur-Godhavi, the state govt is developing the South West Ahmedabad Sports Arena (SWASA), which falls under TP Scheme 429. "Shela's TP Scheme 1 shares its northern boundary with TP Scheme 429, where the sports complex is coming up. Infrastructure continuity is vital, hence the revision," revealed a senior Auda official. As a consequence more land is now being allocated for wider roads and improve parking facilities in neighbouring areas. "Specifically, nearly 60,000 sq m more land has been allocated for road networks in Shela's TP Scheme 1, taking the total to 4,55,559 sq m. Parking allocation, which previously stood at zero, now measures 32,617 sq m. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo An additional 4,079 sq m has been earmarked for an urban forest," a senior Auda official said. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Gold Rates Today in Ahmedabad | Silver Rates Today in Ahmedabad Officials also indicated that similar revisions could soon affect adjoining TP schemes in Ghuma and Makarba."All these areas fall within the 20-km strategic zone identified around the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave in Motera, one of the three key Olympic venues along with Naranpura and SWASA," the Auda source said, adding: "Supporting this infrastructure requires wide roads and large parking spaces, prompting widespread revisions in TP schemes. " Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Aditi Ashok shoots season best round of 65, rises to fifth in Portland
Last Updated: Portland (Oregon), Aug 17 (PTI) Aditi Ashok sunk in seven birdies to produce her best round of the season — a card of 65– that carried her into the top-5 after the third round of The Standard Portland Classic on the LPGA Tour, here. Aditi, who had played only 12 events on the Tour before this week, has had only one top-10 this season — a Tied-9th position at Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. Starting birdie-birdie on the first two, she added three in a row from the sixth to the eighth. Then came another back-to-back birdie pair on the 13th and he 14th for a 7-under 65 after 69-70 on the first two days. Gurleen Kaur (65-68-70) at 13-under was fourth and Savannah Grewal (69-67-72) was 8-under and T-25. Japan's Akie Iwai of Japan eagled the fifth hole and picked birdies on other three par 5s at Columbia Edgewater, during a round of 8-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead. Iwai is trying to join twin sister Chisato as an LPGA Tour winner this year after second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April. Grace Kim of Australia was second after a 67. She holed a 156-yard shot for eagle from the left rough on the par-4 17th. She was 16-under and two off the lead. Sweden's Linn Grant was 14 under after a 65. Gurleen shot 70 to get to 13 under and India's Aditi Ashok (65) at 12-under was another stroke back with Gina Kim (67). Iwai, the winner in Mexico at Mayakoba in May, was in the group at 11 under after a 66. She also eagled the fifth hole. Second-round leader Jeongeun Lee5 also was 10 under. She shot 74. PTI Corr AT AT AT (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 13:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
