WTT Contender: Manika, Archana Reach Doubles QF
Doha, March 28: India’s star paddler Manika Batra and Archana Kamath reached WTT Star Contender women doubles quarterfinal, beating Hungary’s Dora Madarasz and Geogina Pota here on Sunday.
The Indians prevailed 3-1 (10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5) over Hungarians to reach the last eight. Batra and Kamath, who are ranked 6th in the world, will be up against Chinese team of Soo Wai Yam Minnie and Lee Ho Ching.
In the men’s singles, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran staged a stunning turnaround to advance to the round-16, beating Swede Mattias Falck 3-2 after coming from two sets down, 8-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6. He will play Kristian Karlsson of Sweden in the pre-quarterfinals. Veteran paddler Sharath Kamal, however, ousted in round-32 after losing 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 3-11, 7-11) to Germany’s Dang Qui.