Bernadette Szocs produced a match-winning performance under pressure as Dempo Goa Challenger defeated HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades 8-7 in a dramatic Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2026 clash at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji, Goa, on Monday.
With the tie locked at 6-6 heading into the fifth and deciding singles match, the Romanian star, ranked World No. 24 and the highest-ranked player in this edition of the league, rose to the occasion. Szocs defeated Zeng Jian 2-1 in a tense contest to secure Goa’s third consecutive victory and underline her reputation as one of the competition’s standout performers.
The tie began with Goa making a strong start through Alvaro Robles, whose all-round game proved decisive against Eduard Ionescu. Standing at 6ft 2in, Robles showcased impressive agility, effortlessly handling short balls and rapid exchanges close to the table. His versatile backhand, packed with spin and attacking options, was a key weapon as he claimed a 2-1 victory in the opening match.
Goa then looked to build on the momentum through 16-year-old Syndrela Das, who entered the contest with confidence after her notable win over Ahmedabad’s Manika Batra in the previous round. However, she faced a difficult challenge against Ayhika Mukherjee, whose anti-spin rubber disrupted the teenager’s rhythm. Despite putting up a determined fight, Syndrela went down 1-2, allowing Kolkata to level the tie.
The visitors gained further ground in the mixed doubles, where Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee defeated the Goa pairing of Robles and Syndrela. The result gave HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades a narrow 5-4 advantage and shifted the pressure firmly onto the home side.
The reverse men’s singles then delivered one of the most entertaining contests of the evening. Touted as a battle between two promising young talents, Abhinandh and Ankur lived up to expectations with an intense encounter. Abhinandh emerged victorious 2-1, bringing Goa back on level terms at 6-6 and setting up a winner-takes-all finale.
That left the spotlight on Szocs, who embraced the pressure with a composed and confident display. Her 2-1 victory over Zeng Jian proved decisive, sealing the 8-7 triumph for Dempo Goa Challenger. The result not only extended Goa’s winning run to three matches but also highlighted the team’s ability to deliver in the biggest moments, with Szocs once again proving why she is regarded as one of the elite players in the competition.
