Paris 2024 Olympics Table Tennis: India’s Harmeet Desai off to a winning start against Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman
Indian paddler Harmeet Desai got off to a winning start at the Paris 2024 Olympics after defeating Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman in the preliminary round of the men's table tennis singles event on Saturday.
31-year-old Harmeet Desai, who is presently ranked 86 in the world, won the match in straight sets with scores of 11-7, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5.
The start of the match was a cagey affair, with the duo gifting each other points with errors caused by the pressure. In fact, Abo Yaman led the first 3-4 at one point after an aggressive forehand drive surprised Desai.
However, the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist showed composure and settled into a nice rhythm to take home the first match 11-7. Desai started the second game in the lead, but a nervous end to the match led to Abo Yaman almost catching up to his opponent. However, Desai rescued the match with poise to win it 11-9.
After the score was 2-0 after two sets, Desai sunk his teeth into the competition, and his opponent had no way back in. Despite occasional gaps in focus that resulted in errors, Desai dominated the match, winning the following two sets 11-5.
Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman, who is ranked 538 in the world, did not back down from the game, but the gulf in class between him and Desai was clear to see in the match.
Harmeet Desai will face World No. 5 Felix Lebrun of France in Round of 64
After an easy win in the first stage of the table tennis singles event, Harmeet Desai will face his toughest opponent yet in the Round of 64 competition, as he will face off against France’s table tennis prodigy Felix Lebrun.
17-year-old Lebrun is fifth in the world ITTF rankings, and the third-seed paddler will clearly be the favorite in the match on his home turf.
The Round of 64 competition of the men’s table tennis singles event between Harmeet Desai and Felix Lebrun will take place on July 28 from 8:00 PM IST onwards.