NT Reporter
Panaji
Dempo Goa Challengers stormed into the final of the Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 after thrashing former champions Dabang Delhi TTC 8-2 in the first semifinal here on Friday. Olympian Alvaro Robles led the charge with victories in the men’s singles and mixed doubles.
Robles gave the league leaders the perfect start by defeating Youssef Abdelaziz in straight games. After winning the opening two games comfortably, the Spaniard rallied from 7-10 down in the third to complete a clean sweep and hand Dempo GC an early 3-0 lead.
Dabang Delhi pulled one match back when Maria Xiao recovered from losing the opening game to beat Bernadette Szocs. However, Dempo GC regained control as Robles teamed up with teenager Syndrela Das to register a straight-game victory over Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Xiao in the mixed doubles.
Abhinandh PB then sealed the tie by edging Delhi captain Sathiyan 11-9 in the deciding game, confirming Dempo GC’s place in the title clash.
The victory extended Goa’s unbeaten run after they became the first team in UTT history to complete the league stage without suffering a defeat. They are now one win away from lifting the title.
Robles was adjudged the Match IQ Player as well as the Foreign Player of the Tie, while Syndrela Das won the Indian Player of the Tie award.
