Gujarat State Table Tennis Championships 2020 at Gandhidham

Astha upsets Rutva

Gandhidham, Jan.30: The second day of the Stiga Cosco Gujarat State Table Tennis Championships 2020 at Gandhidham witnessed a jaw-dropping moment early in the day when Astha Mistry got the better of top seed Rutva Kothari in the second round to enter pre-quarters.

The Gujarat State Table Tennis Association organised State Championships 2020 is supported by Kachchh District Table Tennis Association.

The Navsari paddler, Astha had never progressed beyond 2nd round in the Sub Junior Girls section. However, the DLSS player looked much improved on Saturday.

Despite losing the first game 11-13, undeterred Astha fought back with a changed strategy. She engaged Rutva in long rallies before hitting clean forehand winners. Astha grew with confidence and displayed her defensive skills as well. She won the next three games and the match 11-13 11-8 11-9 11-6 to register a memorable win of her career till date.

Earlier, on Friday, the Cadet Girls final played on late Friday evening was all-Ahmedabad affair. Pratha Pawar beat Hiya Singh in four games 11-3 11-8 11-8 11-6. Samarth Shekhawat of Baroda made the Cadet Boys final little interesting when he faced top seed Sujal Kukadiya of Bhavnagar. Samarth snatched a game and stretched Sujal to 13-point game twice but the Bhavnagar lad took the top spot on the podium with a 13-11 11-8 11-7 11-6 13-11 victory.

CADET Finals

Girls: Pratha Pawar (ahd) bt Hiya Singh (Ahd) 11-3 11-8 11-8 11-6

Boys: Sujal Kukadiya (Bvn) bt Samarath Shekhawat (Brd) 13-11 11-8 11-7 11-6 13-11