At the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian table tennis player Manika Batra delivered a standout performance by defeating Prithika Pavade, a French player with Indian roots, in a decisive 4-0 victory. The match saw Manika, aged 29, dominated from start to finish with set scores of 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, and 11-7.
This victory marked a historic milestone for Manika, as she became the first Indian table tennis player to reach the singles pre-quarterfinals at the Olympic Games.
Manika’s impressive win over the world number 18, Prithika Pavade, was particularly notable as it occurred on Prithika’s home turf in Paris. This triumph was a significant improvement from Manika’s performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where she had reached the round of 32.
Manika expressed her satisfaction with the win but emphasized her focus on taking each match as it comes, without getting too caught up in the historical aspect of her achievement.
Manika Batra Triumphs Over Prithika Pavade to Become First Indian Table Tennis Player in Olympic Singles Pre-Quarterfinals
Throughout the match, Manika’s strategy involved targeting Prithika’s backhand, which proved to be highly effective despite not being her original game plan.
Initially, Manika had intended to play to Prithika’s forehand, as per her coach’s strategy, but she adjusted her tactics mid-match based on what was working best. Manika attributed her success to staying relaxed and using breathing exercises, which helped her maintain composure under pressure.
Prithika Pavade, who is 19 years old and ranked 18th in the world, has shown considerable improvement since the Tokyo Olympics, where she was eliminated in the first round.
She had recently reached the WTT final for the first time in her career, but she was unable to overcome Manika’s strong and consistent play. Despite a valiant effort, including a brief comeback attempt, Prithika could not find a way to counter Manika’s superior performance.
In the match’s key moments, Manika seized control with a strong start, leveraging her backhand attacks to build an early lead. Although Prithika made a few challenging comebacks, Manika’s relentless play and tactical adjustments ensured her dominance.
The final set saw Manika secure victory with a decisive forehand shot, converting her third match point after 37 minutes of play, and thus advancing to the next round of the competition.
