Indian table tennis players Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula were both eliminated from the women’s singles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, concluding India’s singles campaign. On Wednesday, both players lost their respective round of 16 matches.
Manika Batra, ranked 28th, faced Japan’s Miu Hirano, the world No. 13 and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist in the women’s team event. Batra struggled with unforced errors, leading to a 4-1 defeat (6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 8-11, 6-11). Despite a strong start in the third game, where she saved three game points, Batra could not maintain her momentum, and Hirano secured the match in four games.
Sreeja Akula, celebrating her 26th birthday, faced China’s top-ranked Sun Yingsha. Akula had opportunities in the first two games but failed to capitalize on game points, resulting in a 4-0 loss (10-12, 10-12, 8-11, 3-11). Sun Yingsha took control in the latter games, leading to a straightforward victory.
Earlier, Akula had a notable win in the round of 32, coming from behind to beat Singapore’s Zeng Jian 4-2. Both Batra and Akula made history as the first Indian table tennis players to reach the round of 16 in an Olympic singles event.
In the men’s singles, Harmeet Desai and Sharath Kamal exited in the round of 64. India will now focus on the team events, starting on August 5.
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