Paris Olympics 2024 Table Tennis: Sreeja Akula’s efforts in vain after a defeat in the Round of 16 against World No. 1 Sun Yingsha
Sreeja Akula suffered a heartbreak on Wednesday, July 31. Competing against World No. 1 Sun Yingsha of China in the Round of 16, Akula lost 4-0 on her 26th birthday to bow out of the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics 2024. However, the scoreline doesn’t reflect how competitive the match was. Sreeja almost had the Chinese paddler by the neck, but the latter showed nerves of steel to win and qualify for the quarterfinals.
Sreeja Akula started the first set brilliantly, keeping Yingsha on the back foot. Akula, India’s top-ranked player at World No. 25, surged ahead with a 10-6 lead in the first set, earning four game points. However, Sun Yingsha showed why she is the best in the world by winning six consecutive points to take the first set 10-12.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Sreeja once again established a commanding lead, this time at 10-5, with five game points in her favor. But the determined Chinese star mounted another remarkable comeback, securing seven straight points to win the set 12-10 and extend her lead to 2-0.
In the third set, the battle remained intense. Sun Yingsha gained a 10-7 advantage, but Sreeja managed to pull back a point. Nevertheless, the Chinese paddler held her nerve to win the set 11-8, moving within one set of victory.
The fourth set saw a visibly disheartened Sreeja, who seemed affected by the narrow losses in the previous sets. Sun Yingsha capitalized on this, dominating the set 11-3 to seal the match 4-0 and advance to the quarterfinals.
Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra, and Archana Kamath to feature in women’s team event at Paris Olympics 2024
Despite her exit from the singles competition, Sreeja Akula's journey at the Paris Olympics 2024 isn't over. She will join forces with Manika Batra and Archana Kamath in the women's team event.
The Indian trio will face Romania's Adina Diaconu, Bernadette Szocs, and Elizabeta Samara in the Round of 16.