By Admin 
So near, yet so far. That summed up India’s evening at the 28th Asian Table Tennis Team Championship at Kalinga Stadium, as its women’s team’s hopes of defending the bronze medal were dashed by Singapore in a quarterfinal that went down to the deciding match.
Despite conceding the first two rubbers, India clawed its way back through Yashaswini Ghorpade and Manika Batra to level the tie 2–2. But in the decider, Diya Chitale wilted under pressure against defensive specialist Tan Zhao Yun, whose remarkable consistency sealed Singapore’s passage into the semifinals.
India will rue the missed chances — especially in the opening two encounters — that tilted momentum away early. For Singapore, though, Tan’s defensive mastery proved the ultimate weapon. Her control and variation not only unsettled Manika in the opening match but also dismantled Diya’s rhythm when it mattered the most.
While Diya struggled to find answers against Tan’s relentless returns, Manika seemed hesitant to go for her forehand winners against the same opponent, a caution that cost her the opener. The lanky Indian, however, made amends later by outsmarting veteran Zeng Jian to bring India level.
Zeng, in turn, used her experience to outplay Diya in her first outing, placing Singapore on the brink of victory before Yashaswini kept India alive with a composed performance. Mixing her long-pimpled backhand with timely forehand drives, the youngster displayed maturity beyond her years.
In the end, though, Tan’s defence stood like a wall India couldn’t breach. For a team that showed heart and hunger, the final step proved just a bridge too far.
The results: Quarterfinals: Women: Singapore bt India 3-2 (Tan Zhao Yun bt Manika Batra 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8; Zeng Jian bt Diya Chitale 3-11, 12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9; Ser Lin Qian lost to Yashaswini Ghorpade 7-11, 8-11, 8-11; Zeng lost to Manika 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12; Tan bt Diya 11-6, 11-5, 11-4).
China bt Thailand 3-0 (Wang Manyu bt Orawan Paranang 11-3, 11-6, 11-6; Sun Yingsha bt Suthasini Sawettabut 11-7, 11-8, 13-11; Kuai Man bt Jinnipa Sawettabut 11-6, 11-11-7, 11-8).
Men: China bt Iran 3-1 (Lin Shidong lost to Benyamin Faraji 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 11-4, 9-11; Liang Jigkun bt Noshad Alamiyan 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 13-11; Wang Chuqin bt Amir Hossein Hodaei 11-8, 11-8, 11-4; Lin bt Noshad 11-8, 11-9, 11-3).
Taiwan bt DPR Korea 3-2 (Liao Cheng-Ting bt RI Jong Sik 11-3, 15-13, 12-10, Kuo Guan-Hong lost to Ham Yu Song 6-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 9-11; Lin Yen-Chung lost to Chon Jong Bom 4-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-4, 16-18; Kuo Guan-Hong bt RI Jong Sik 11-7, 11-8, 12-10; Liao bt Ham 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 3-11, 11-3).