Paris Olympics 2024 Table Tennis: India’s campaign ends without a medal as the women’s team loses 3-1 against Germany in the quarter-finals
India’s campaign in table tennis at the Paris Olympics 2024 comes to an unfortunate end after the women’s team lost 3-1 against Germany in the quarter-finals on Wednesday (August 7). With this, Indian table tennis teams return home without a medal at the Olympics.
The match started with a doubles encounter as Indian pair Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath took on Germany’s Yuan Wan and Xiaona Shan. The German duo started strong with a comfortable 11-5 win in Game 1. However, Sreeja and Archana came back in style to clinch an 8-11 win in Game 2.
However, the third game proved pivotal. With the score tied at 10-10, Germany edged out India by clinching two consecutive points to win 12-10. In the fourth game, Germany’s precision shone through as they closed out the match with an 11-6 win, securing a 3-1 victory in the doubles.
In Match 2, veteran Manika Batra faced Annett Kaufmann. Batra began with a promising 8-11 win, but Kaufmann quickly turned the tide. Batra struggled to regain her rhythm, losing the next three games 11-5, 11-7, and 11-5, thus losing the match.
The pressure mounted for India as Match 3 became a must-win scenario. Archana Kamath went up against Xiaona Shan. Kamath showed nerves of steel in the first game, edging out Shan 17-19. Although Shan dominated the second game 11-1, Kamath rebounded to win the next two games 5-11 and 9-11, securing a 1-3 victory to keep India’s hopes alive.
In the decisive Match 4, Sreeja Akula was up against Annett Kaufmann. The highest-ranked Indian paddler couldn’t perform well as she fell to Kaufmann in straight games, 11-6, 11-7, and 11-7.
This loss sealed India’s fate, as they bowed out of the tournament with a 3-1 defeat.
India’s medal drought in table tennis at the Olympics continues
India's failure to secure a medal in table tennis at the Paris Olympics continues the nation’s ongoing quest for an Olympic podium finish in the sport. The men’s team was ousted in the Round of 16 by China, and now the women’s team has fallen short in the quarter-finals.
Despite strong performances from Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula in the singles events, reaching the Round of 16, the quest for an Olympic table tennis medal remains elusive for India.