India lost 0–3 against powerful China in the pre-quarterfinals, despite veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal putting up a fight.
In the pre-quarterfinals of the men’s table tennis team event at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, India lost to powerful China 0–3, despite veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal’s valiant efforts. The Chinese combination of Ma Long and Chuqin Wang defeated the Indian pair of Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar 2-11 3-11 7-11 in the opening doubles round. Playing Olympic champion Fan Zhendong in the opening singles round, Sharath won 11-9 in an outstanding performance.
However, India trailed 0-2 in the tie as the Chinese rallied to outsmart the Indians 11-7 11-7 11-5 in the following three games. In the second singles match, Manav, who is 24 years old, faced Chuqin and lost 9-11 6-11 9-11.
The Indian women’s team, which consists of Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamat, defeated Romania, which is rated higher, 3-2 in an exciting match on Monday to advance to the quarterfinals.
