Apolonia leads Mavericks to a 7-5 lead over Yoddhas

Tiago Apolonia won two matches to put RP-SG Mavericks 7-5 ahead against Oilmax Stag Yoddhas in the 11th tie of the CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) at the Thyagaraj Stadium here today.

Portugal world No. 31 Apolonia provided Mavericks with a solid start, as he thumped India's Jubin Kumar 3-0 (11-5, 11- 6, 11-9) in the men's singles (Foreign v Indian), the day's opening match.

Doo Hoi Kem, however, squared it 3-3 for Oilmax Stag Yoddhas as she overcame 17-year-old Indian Archana Kamath 3-0 (11-9, 11-3, 11-6) in the in the women's singles (Indian v Foreign).

Quadri Aruna/Manika Batra quelled a spirited challenge by RP-SG Mavericks' A Sharath Kamal/Sofia Polcanova 2-1 (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 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-5) in the men's singles to hand Mavericks a 7-5 lead after four matches.

At the end of four matches, RP-SG Mavericks were 7-5 up against Oilmax Stag Yoddhas.