The Men’s Table Tennis competition has seen Sharath Achanta defeat Australia's William Henzell to take India’s final gold medal for the Games.
Achanta set the pace with impressive forehand attacks in the first game to run away, 11-5. His top spin dominated in the second, but his luck turned after a net cord and subsequent critical errors allowed Henzell to forge a comeback, winning 11-8.
A great forcing rally in the third allowed the Australian to move Achanta around the court and take the third game, 11-5. During this game, the umpire yellow-carded the Indian coach after earlier handing a yellow card to the Australian coach for advising during the match.
Henzell attacked the ball in the fourth, but the Indian clawed his way back to level the score at 5-5. Henzell continued his well-executed soft spins, however Achanta mixed up his game well to prevail, 11-8.
The fifth game saw Achanta cruise to a 3-0 lead as the Australian’s strong forehand drive was slapped away for a winner in the forehand corner to allow the Indian to win the game, 11-8.
Achanta crumbled under pressure in the sixth, making several critical errors. A fault against him at 7-7 allowed Henzell to take the game 11-7.
In the tense final game, Achanta raced to a 4-1 lead, until Henzell took a time-out and the crowd erupted as he came back to lead 5-4. Achanta then took his own time-out, returning with a magnificent counter top-spin shot, to level the score at 6-6.
Late errors from a hesitant Henzell saw Achanta wrap-up the game, 11-8, and claim gold.
For all the competition results, visit the Table Tennis Schedule and Results section of this Website.
- Games News Service