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Follow UsSreeja Akula Defeated Jian Zeng In Table Tennis Women's Singles
Table tennis ace Sreeja Akula added to India’s historic achievements at the Paris Olympics by securing her place in the Round of 16 in Women's singles. On her 26th birthday, Akula delivered a phenomenal comeback victory over Singapore's Jian Zeng, winning with scores of 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, and 12-10.
Akula has become the second Indian ever to reach the Table Tennis pre-quarters at the Olympics, joining Manika Batra who accomplished the same feat just a few days earlier. Despite a narrow loss in Game 1, Sreeja Akula displayed dominant form to achieve this historic milestone on her special day. Although she fought hard in the first game, Zeng’s strong attacking returns gave her a 9-11 edge. However, Sreeja’s potential comeback became evident in the later stages of the match.
Sreeja’s Strong Comeback
Game 2 saw Sreeja Akula consistently trouble her Singaporean opponent, especially when serving. Her confident approach proved too difficult for Zeng to handle. Despite Zeng’s attempts to replicate Sreeja’s earlier fightback, the Indian star clinched Game 2 with a 12-10 victory.
Utter Dominance in Games 3 and 4
Building on her Game 2 success, Sreeja displayed incredible dominance in Games 3 and 4, starting with a clear 4-0 lead and continuing to capitalize on Zeng’s mistakes. Her powerful play led to a brutal 11-4 win in Game 3, followed by a similarly commanding 11-5 victory in Game 4.
Zeng Fights Back, Sreeja for the Win
Game 5 was the most intense of the match, with both players battling fiercely. Zeng brought her A-game, providing a strong counter to Akula. Despite Sreeja's efforts to inch back, she narrowly lost Game 5 by 10-12.
Closing the Match
In Game 6, Sreeja demonstrated her resilience and determination, sealing her comeback and securing her place in the pre-quarters with a 12-10 win. This victory not only marked a personal milestone for Akula but also added to India's proud Olympic history.