UTT 2024: Bernadette Downs Manika, But Ahmedabad SG Pipers Can't Avoid Loss To PBG Bengaluru Smashers

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bernadette Szocs's victory over Manika Batra counted for very little as her team Ahmedabad SG Pipers lost to PBG Bengaluru Smashers in an IndianOil UTT 2024 tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Saturday (August 31).

Despite losing three matches, PBG Bengaluru Smashers edged out the Ahmedabad SG Pipers 9-6 in the exciting tie, and are now at the top of the league table with 40 points.

Lilian Bardet gave Ahmedabad SG Pipers a winning start by getting the better of Anthony Amalraj in the opening clash. The highly rated France international clinched one of the two golden points during the men's singles contest on his way to a hard fought 2-1 (11-9, 11-10, 10-11) victory against the experienced Amalraj.

The Romania star, who avenged her defeat to Manika from the 2024 Paris Olympics, fought back after losing the first game to carve out a well deserved 7-11, 11-9, 11-7 (2-1) win that bolstered Ahmedabad SG Pipers' early lead.

Bernadette notched up her second win of the evening when she teamed up with Manush Shah to clinch the mixed doubles match 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) against the Bengaluru combination of Manika and Alvaro Robles.

PBG Bengaluru Smashers' captain Robles, who was adjudged the Foreign Player of the Tie, brought his team back into contention by winning all three games of the men's singles clash against Shah. That saw Bengaluru claw their way back to equal terms with the score locked at six points each and set the tie up for an exciting finish.

Lily Zhang proved to be too hot to handle for Krittwika Sinha Roy in the second women's singles as Bengaluru wrapped up a last gasp 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-10) victory. Manika was adjudged the Indian Player of the Tie. Here is a look at the final results:

Bengaluru Smashers vs Ahmedabad SG Pipers Result: Bengaluru beat Ahmedabad 9-6

• Men's Singles: Anthony Amalraj lost to Lilian Bardet 1-2 (9-11, 10-11, 11-10)
• Women's Singles: Manika Batra lost to Bernadette Szocs 1-2 (11-7, 9-11, 7-11)
• Mixed Doubles: Manika Batra/Alvaro Robles lost to Bernadette Szocs/Manush Shah 1-2 (3-11, 11-7, 8-11)
• Men's Singles: Alvaro Robles beat Manush Shah 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8)
• Women's Singles: Lily Zhang beat Krittwika Sinha Roy 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-10)