Manika Batra has a talent for turning up when India most needs her. In the women’s table tennis team competition at the Olympics on Monday, she demonstrated why she has been the sport’s long-time leader. Her opponent was Romania.
Manika faced off against the extremely talented young player Adina Diaconu in the championship match after defeating World No. 10 Bernadette Szocs in straight games. For the first time, they were pitted against one another, and despite being the underdog, the Romanian played with a winning mentality.
Manika, who was frequently left behind, maintained her composure, stood up for herself, and then launched assault after attack of her own. Manika was on the front lines again, soaking up all the fire, and Adina was routed along with Romania.
It was always going to be difficult for India to play a better-ranked Romania, but Manika, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath’s side got off to a fantastic start in the best-of-five match.
After teaming up to win the doubles title at the WTT Contender in Lagos, Sreeja and Archana continued their winning ways, defeating the seasoned duo of Adina and 35-year-old Elizabeta Samara in straight games to give India the advantage.
Following the doubles match, there are four singles in the team event. Only two matches may be played by each individual. Coach Massimo Constantini chose Manika to play the two singles despite Sreeja’s higher ranking because of Manika’s greater experience. Though things won’t always be the same, Manika might play doubles with her old partner Archana in the quarterfinals, which would pit the United States of America against Germany.