Indian women TT team's bid for Tokyo Olympics berth ends

Indian women table tennis team's quest for a Tokyo Olympics berth ended on Saturday after losing to France 2-3 in a play-off match of qualification tournament. Indian women's team had lost to Romania 2-3 in a pre-quarterfinal match on Friday.  Ranked 23rd just a place above France, Indian team took lead through Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukehrjee in opening match, beating Stephanie Loeuillette and Yuan Jian Nan 11-7, 6-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8.

Though Manika Batra, ranked 61st, lost her opening singles 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-3, 7-11 to Marie Migot, ranked 195th, she was able to put India back in reckoning when she won 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 against Stephanie Loeuillette in second singles.  But euphoria lasted just a couple of games as Ayhika, playing last match of tie against Marie, led 2-1 but her French opponent pulled level before winning decider to sending India packing. Ayhika lost 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11.  With just two singles entries allowed per country, Indian women, especially Manika and Archana Kamath, can hope for best when y participate in April event in Thailand for singles qualification.  Indian men's team is slated to meet Czech Republic in ir opening play-off match later on Saturday.