Goa Challengers continued its unbeaten run at home in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, defeating PBG Pune Jaguars 8-7 on Saturday to become the first team to secure a place in the semifinals.
The closely contested tie was decided by a series of standout performances across the lineup, with captain Bernadette Szocs, youngster Abhinandh PB and teenager Syndrela Das playing pivotal roles in extending Goa’s remarkable winning streak.
Szocs gave the hosts the perfect start by sweeping aside Prithika Pavade in the opening singles match. However, PBG Pune Jaguars responded through SFR Snehit, who edged past Alvaro Robles in a gripping contest to keep the tie evenly balanced.
One of the season’s breakout performers, Abhinandh once again impressed despite suffering his first defeat of the campaign. Facing World No. 35 Omar Assar, the teenager pushed his experienced opponent to the limit. Although Assar won the deciding game, Abhinandh’s victory in the opening game proved crucial and ultimately made the difference in the overall scoreline.
With the tie level at 6-6 heading into the final rubber, all eyes turned to Syndrela Das, who faced the experienced Diya Chitale in a high-pressure encounter. The teenager displayed remarkable composure to deliver when her team needed her most.
Syndrela relied on her powerful backhand to produce a series of timely winners, overcoming Chitale in a tense contest. The victory added another National champion to her growing list of notable scalps this season, having already defeated Manika Batra earlier in the campaign.
Chitale’s all-round display ensured the contest remained evenly poised, keeping the enthusiastic crowd at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium engaged throughout. However, Syndrela maintained her composure during the decisive moments to seal the victory and spark celebrations among the home supporters.
The triumph marked Dempo Goa Challengers’ fifth consecutive tie win, setting a new record for the longest winning streak in Ultimate Table Tennis history while preserving the team’s unbeaten run on home soil.
Later in the day, HVR Kolkata Thunder Blades also confirmed its place in the semifinals with a commanding victory over the bottom-placed UP Prometheans, joining Goa Challengers in the final four of Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7.
