Abhinandh of Dempo Goa Challengers in action against Lillian Bardet of U Mumba TT during the Ultimate Table Tennis 2026 at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji on July 9, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Butterfly UTT
Fired by 18-year-old P.B. Abhinandh’s blazing start, Dempo Goa Challengers thumped defending champion U Mumba TT 10-5 on the opening day of the Ultimate Table Tennis at the Shyama Prasad Indoor Stadium here on Thursday.
Abhinandh, ranked 210 in the world, produced an outstanding display of aggressive table tennis, combining precision with some quick serves to dismantle Lilian Bardet 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 and hand the host a rousing start.
The teenager, ranked 11 in the junior-19 international circuit, was firing on all cylinders from the outset, attacking at every opportunity— on the receive, off his own serve and during rallies — to keep the World No.42 Frenchman under constant pressure.
Bardet struggled to read Abhinandh’s deceptively quick serves as the Indian raced to early leads in all three games. Whenever Bardet threatened to take the offensive route, Abhinandh responded with rock-solid defence before seamlessly switching back to attack.
The costliest pick at the auction, Goa’s Bernadette Szocs justified her price tag with a clinical 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 victory over Nithyashree Mani. The World No. 25 produced a near error-free display, dictating play from the start and rarely allowing her opponent a foothold into the match.
The 23-year-old Indian appeared a touch stiff in the opening game. Her forehand lacked its usual penetration, while her backhand failed to add any sting to the rallies, allowing Szocs to seize the initiative and stay in complete control.
Having won the opening two matches to build a commanding 6-0 points lead, Goa entered the crucial mixed doubles tie brimming with confidence. Abhinandh and Szocs went on to defeat Manush Shah and Anna Hursey 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 to virtually seal the contest in Goa’s favour.
The results: Dempo Goa Challengers bt U Mumba TT 10-5 (P. B. Abhinandh bt Lilian Bardet 11-6, 11-2, 11-3; Bernadette Szocs bt Nithyashree Mani 11-7, 11-9; Abhinandh & Szocs bt Manush Shah & Anna Hursey 11-7, 7-11, 11-6; Alvaro Robles lost to Manush 10-11, 8-11, 4-11; Syndrela Das lost to Hursey 9-11, 11-9, 7-11).
Published – July 09, 2026 10:15 pm IST
