Table tennis: India makes semifinals at CWG

Harmeet Desai of India serves during his quarterfinal Table Tennis match against Chee Feng Leong of Malaysia on day three of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Oxenford Studios on April 7, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Harmeet Desai of India serves during his quarterfinal Table Tennis match against Chee Feng Leong of Malaysia on day three of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Oxenford Studios on April 7, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia.   | Photo Credit: Getty Images

India made it to the semifinals in the men’s and women’s sections, posting comfortable wins in the table tennis team events at the Oxenford Studio here on Saturday.

In the men’s section, India dominated Malaysia, winning 3-0. Harmeet Desai set the ball rolling with an easy 11-4, 12-10, 11-6 win over Chee Feng Leong. Sharath Kamal made it to 2-0 by beating Muhammad Rizal 11-8, 11-7, 11-6. In doubles, Harmeet and G. Sathiyan completed the rout, putting it past Javen Choong and Chee Feng Leong 11-7, 11-6, 11-7.

Seasoned campaigner Manika Batra was in total control against her Mauritian rival Ying Ho, winning 11-9, 11-7, 11-7.

Madhurika Patkar rallied well, after losing the first set, to post 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 win over Karen Lyne. In doubles, Mouma Das and Patkar overcame a second set loss to beat Ai Xin Tee and Ying Ho 11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7.

In the semifinals to be played on Sunday, the women’s team will take on England, which beat Canada 3-1.

In the men’s section, India will meet Singapore, which beat Canada 3-2, on Monday.

The results: Men (quarterfinals): India bt Malaysia 3-0 (Harmeet Desai bt Chee Feng Leong 11-4, 12-10, 11-6; Sharath Kamal bt Muhammad Rizal 11-8, 11-7, 11-6; G. Sathiyan & Harmeet Desai bt Javen Choong & Chee Feng Leong 11-7, 11-6, 11-7).

Women (quarterfinals): India bt Mauritius 3-0 (Manika Batra bt Ying Ho 11-9, 11-7, 11-7; Madhurika Patkar bt Karen Lyne 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8; Mouma Das & Madhurika Patkar bt Ain Xin Tee & Ying Ho 11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7).