New Delhi: India’s men went down 0-3 to Nigeria in their Group ‘F’ third round match but their women counterparts made amends by entering the fourth round with a 3-0 win over Portugal in the team event of the World Table Tennis Championships, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
After two successive wins, the men’s team led by Achanta Sharath Kamal were expected to put up a fight but the higher-ranked Nigerians proved too good.
Soumyajit Ghosh lost the opening match to Aruna Quadri 11-5 ,11-4, 11-3.
But Sharath stood firm against Segun Toriola and managed to take a game from his Nigerian opponent before going down 13-15, 6-11, 13-11, 5-11.
Two rubbers down, it was difficult for the Indians to stage a recovery but Anthony Amalraj fought hard before losing 13-11, 8-11, 9-11, 8-11.
They play Switzerland on Wednesday anw need to win the remaining two rubbers to keep their hopes of entering the main draw alive.
The women, on the other hand, kept a clean slate with a convincing win over Portugal. Manika Batra gave India the lead by beating Leila Oliverira 11-5, 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9.
