Yoddhas beat Mavericks in UTT encounter

Doo Hoi Kem, Manika Batra and Quadri Aruna recorded crucial wins to lead Oilmax Stag Yoddhas to a 16-11 win over RP-SG Mavericks in the 11th tie of the CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) at the Thyagaraj Stadium here on Sunday.

World No.31 Apolonia provided Mavericks with a solid start, as he thumped Indian southpaw Jubin Kumar 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 in the men's singles.

Doo Hoi Kem, however, squared it for Oilmax Stag Yoddhas as she overcame 17-year-old Indian Archana Kamath 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 in the in the women's singles.

Quadri Aruna/Manika Batra quelled a spirited challenge by RP-SG Mavericks' Achanta Sharath Kamal/Sofia Polcanova 11-10, 8-11, 11-8 in the mixed doubles to put Oilmax Stag Yoddhas ahead 5-4.

However, Apolonia won his second match of the day when he brushed aside Croatian Tomislav Pucar 11-5, 11-9, 11-5 in the men's singles to hand Mavericks a 7-5 lead after four matches.

Subsequently, Doo Hoi Kem beat Polcanova 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 in the women's singles for her second victory for the day to help Oilmax Stag Yoddhas regain the lead at 8-7.

Sharath Kamal levelled it at 9-9 for RP-SG Mavericks with a 11-5, 11-3, 6-11 win over Pucar in the men's singles as the tie looked headed for a keen finish.

Manika Batra pulled off a spectacular 11-10, 9-11, 11-6 win over Sabine Winter of RP-SG Mavericks in the women's singles as Oilmax Stag Yoddhas edged ahead 11-10 with two more matches remaining.

Quadri Aruna made it 14-10 for Oilmax Stag Yoddhas as he overpowered Stefan Fegerl 11-8, 11-0, 11-5 in the men's singles.

Russian Polina Mikhailova rallied to beat Sabine Winter 10-11, 11-7, 11-9 in the women's singles to help Oilmax Stag Yoddhas seal the tie 16-11.

--IANS

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