NEW DELHI: Sreeja Akula celebrated her 26th birthday by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of the women's singles table tennis competition at the Paris Olympics. With a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Singapore's Jian Zeng in the round of 32, she made history for Indian table tennis by joining compatriot Manika Batra in the pre-quarterfinals.
The match lasted 51 minutes, with Sreeja winning by scores of 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10. Despite losing the opening game, Sreeja's resilience and strategy led her to bounce back and claim victory.
Live Updates: Paris Olympics Day 5
"It was a tough match, but I kept my focus and believed in my ability to fight back. Winning on my birthday makes this victory even more special," Sreeja was quoted as saying by PTI while reflecting on her journey.
In the second game, Sreeja initially squandered a three-point lead but managed to prevail in the tie-breaker. This comeback boosted her confidence, enabling her to dominate the third and fourth games. Although Zeng fought back in the fifth game, Sreeja maintained her composure and clinched the match in the sixth game.
Sreeja's achievement follows her recent rise in international table tennis. She achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 24 last month, surpassing Manika Batra as India's top women's singles player. Her victory in the WTT Contender singles title in Lagos in June and her gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, alongside Sharath Kamal, demonstrate her growing prowess in the sport.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Sreeja will face China's world number one, Sun Yingsha. Despite the challenging match ahead, Sreeja remains optimistic and determined to continue her impressive run at the Olympics.
Sreeja's triumph, alongside Batra's success, marks a significant milestone for Indian table tennis. It showcases the country's rising talent and competitive spirit on the global stage.
