Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Dempo Goa Challengers scripted history in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 by becoming the first team to complete the league stage unbeaten after registering a 10-5 victory over UP Prometheans on Wednesday.
The two time champions capped a flawless campaign by winning all six of their league ties, finishing at the top of the standings and carrying perfect momentum into the semifinals.
Alvaro Robles and Bernadette Szocs once again starred for Goa, giving the team a commanding early advantage before Abhinandh PB partnered Szocs to secure victory in the mixed doubles, effectively sealing the tie.
Robles provided the ideal start with a convincing straight games victory over Sudhanshu Grover. Bernadette Szocs then overcame a determined challenge from Sayali Wani to extend Goa’s lead.
The reigning champions tightened their grip on the contest in the mixed doubles as Szocs and Abhinandh PB defeated Ricardo Walther and Swastika Ghosh in a closely contested three game encounter, ensuring Goa maintained its unbeaten record.
UP Prometheans fought back in the closing stages, with Manav Thakkar defeating Abhinandh PB to hand the youngster only his second singles defeat of the season. Yangzi Liu also recovered after losing the opening game to beat teenage talent Syndrela Das.
Despite the late comeback, Goa’s dominant opening performances proved enough to secure a historic undefeated finish to the league phase.
The final score saw Dempo Goa Challengers defeat UP Prometheans 10-5. Robles beat Sudhanshu Grover 3-0, Szocs defeated Sayali Wani 2-1, while the mixed doubles pair of Abhinandh PB and Szocs overcame Ricardo Walther and Swastika Ghosh 3-0. Manav Thakkar defeated Abhinandh PB 2-1, and Yangzi Liu beat Syndrela Das by the same margin.
With history created, Dempo Goa Challengers now head into the semifinals as the team to beat, aiming to add another Ultimate Table Tennis title to their impressive record.
