UTT 2024: Diya Chitale Shocks Manika Batra But Bengaluru Smashers Qualify for Semis Despite

Rising star Diya Chitale pulled off a massive upset against World No. 26 Manika Batra as Dabang Delhi TTC staged a late charge to upstage table toppers PBG Bengaluru Smashers 8-7 in a thrilling UTT 2024 tie that went right down to the wire at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Diya outplayed Manika 3-0 (11-6, 11-10, 11-8) as Dabang Delhi TTC – who were seemingly down and out after PBG Bengaluru Smashers raced into a 7-1 lead – pulled off the unthinkable by clinching seven consecutive games.

Despite suffering their first loss of the season, PBG Bengaluru Smashers became the first team to enter the knockouts with 48 points after five ties. Dabang Delhi TTC continue at the second spot with 41 points.

PBG Bengaluru Smashers were off to a promising start when Alvaro Robles blanked youngster Yashansh Malik 3-0 (11-3, 11-10, 11-5) in the first men’s singles. Lily Zhang continued her unbeaten run this season, outclassing Orawan Paranang 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-7) in the first women’s singles. The American star has dropped just one game this season and Sunday’s result was her fourth 3-0 win on the trot.

However, Orawan and G Sathiyan sparked the turnaround for the Delhi-based franchise when they downed the star pair of Manika and Alvaro Robles 2-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-8) in the mixed doubles. Sathiyan went on to blank a fighting Jeet Chandra 3-0 (11-10, 11-6, 11-5) to raise visions of a comeback by Dabang Delhi TTC.

That set up a nail-biting finish with Diya Chitale taking on a formidable challenge against Manika in the second women’s singles. The promising youngster pulled off a giant slaying act as she comprehensively outplayed the experienced Team India star.

Dabang Delhi TTC bt PBG Bengaluru Smashers 8-7:

• Yashansh Malik lost to Alvaro Robles bt 0-3 (3-11, 10-11, 5-11)
• Orawan Paranang lost to Lily Zhang 0-3 (7-11, 7-11, 7-11)
• Orawan Paranang/G Sathiyan bt Manika Batra/Alvaro Robles 2-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-8)
• Sathiyan Gnanasekaran bt Jeet Chandra 3-0  (11-10, 11-6, 11-5)
• Diya Chitale bt Manika Batra 3-0 (11-6, 11-10, 11-8)