Sutirtha Mukherjee vs Linda Bergstorem updates: Sutirtha, Manika win first round matches

Sutirtha wins

Sutirtha Mukherjee wins the final set and with the game. She will now face Yu Fu of Portugal.

India need 1 point

Just one more point to seal the game.

Perfect Rally

A great rally between the two paddlers but India takes the point.

Sweden fightback

Linda Bergstroem is not letting it go. She continues to fight back. But Sutirtha maintains her lead. Score: 9-2.

India lead 4-1

Sutirtha is going all guns blazing in the final set. This is a do-or-die set for both the paddlers

Towel Break

This is the final set. Can Sutirtha take inspiration from Mirabai Chanu's silver medal win or will she bow out of the Olympics?

Match going down to the wire

Sutirtha continues to test the Swedish paddler as she fights for survival. One more point to take the match into the final set.

Sutirtha struggling

The Indian paddler trails 3-1 in sets. She has been making a lot of unforced errors.

She looks to be in control in the fifth set though. Sutirtha lead the first set 5-0.

Third Set Over

Sweden takes the lead with a close win in the third set. Sutirtha will need to be careful with her unforced errors to keep her Olympic dreams alive.

Tie-break for third set

Wow, its 10-all. Sutirtha is holding ground against Swedish paddler.

Third set begins

Sutirtha goes into aggressive mode but makes unforced errors on the trot. The Swedish, on the other hand, is just staying calm and looking for the right window to attack.

Nerve-Wracking

It is an evenly matched contest as both the paddlers test each other to the limit. Sutirtha equalizes the set 1-1 with a 11-9 win in the second round.

Fightback

The Swedish paddler is not letting the set go so easily. She continues to score and reduce the deficit by forcing Sutirtha to make errors.

Pep Talk works

Sutirtha makes a strong comeback leading the second set 5-2. She looks much more composed.

Sutirtha loses first set

Second unforced error from the Indian on the trot and she loses the first set. She now takes crucial advice from coach Soumyadeep Roy. Can she make a comeback?

It's on!

Sutirtha needs to buck up. She is trailing 8-5 in first set.

Sutirtha Mukeherjee gets her first points on the board. She smashes it and Linda has no clue about it. However, apart from the only point, the Swede is running all over the Indian at 7-1.

We will have India's Sutirtha Mukeherjee taking on Sweden's Linda Bergstorem soon.

Manika Batra second round match

India's Manika Batra will meet Ukraine's Margaryta Pesotska in the second round tomorrow.

Manika Batra was the aggressor. She had her shots in place, packed a punch when needed and defended well too. She was pushed to the wall a couple of time in two games but kept her composure and crawled back into the match. It was a totally different Manika Batra at the table from what we saw a couple of hours ago in the mixed doubles match.

This is how the match panned out. A 30-minute contest in favour of the Indian.

On match point, Manika first pushes it and then sends an attacking shot down the table to which Tin-Tin can only send it way out of the table. It gives Manika Batra a 4-0 win.

Manika Batra beats Tin-Tin Ho 4-0 and progresses into the next round.

Towards the end of the game, Manika takes an all-important lead at 10-8. Two match points.

This time Manika spins it well and Tin-Tin can only get to the net and it is 8 points apiece.

Manika finds the net time and again and it is 8-6 in favour of Tin-Tin.

Manika cannot return an attacking shot on cue and it is 7-5 in favour of Tin-Tin.

Tin-Tin packs a punch but it is too much as the ball hits the net and goes out and it is 5-5 in the fourth game.

Manika pushes it and Tin-Tin can only direct it way out of the table. Manika slowly crawling back at 4-5.

Unforced errors from Manika Batra galore as Tin-Tin has a lead at 5-2 in the fourth game.

We are into the fourth game now.

Tin-Tin finds the net and Manika Batra comes from behind to win the game 12-10. She has a 3-0 lead now. Manika's experience showing the way. She kept her cool and dismissed three game points her opponents had. It is now one more game for Manika to win to progress to the next round.

What an attacking shot from Manika. The Indian takes the lead at 11-10.

Manika Batra restores parity at 10-all.

Tin-Tin takes a timeout at 10-9. A much needed breather for Manika to get back on level terms.

Manika reduces the deficit but Tin-Tin has two game points at 10-8.

This time Manika goes for the kill but packs it with too much power and it is Tin-Tin who is closing in on this game at 9-6.

Manika finds the net time and again in this game and that opens up a three-point lead for Tin-Tin at 8-5.

A couple of unforced errors by Tin-Tin and Manika crawls back at 5-6.

Tin-Tin attacks and Manika misses a clean return chance. Tin-Tin has a 5-3 lead now in the third game.

Manika finds the net in trying to force a defensive shot and it gives Tin-Tin a slender lead at 3-2 in the third game.

While Tin-Tin Ho has her coach by her side, Manika Batra is all alone managing by herself.

The game so far

Manika Batra has taken a 2 game lead after Tin-Tin Ho messes it up.

Manika goes for an attack but cannot control her shot but still holds a 9-6 lead.

Three unforced errors from Manika Batra, including finding the net once, and Tin-Tin is slowly crawling into the match at 4-8 but has a considerable distance to cover.

Manika Batra gets her 'A' game to the fore and takes a 6-1 lead over Tin-Tin. She has mixed it up well, playing both attacking shots and defending at ease.

Manika Batra takes a 3-0 lead after Tin-Tin Ho commits three unforced errors on the trot.

Ace paddler @manikabatra_TT’s first women’s singles game is underway as she leads the match with a smooth victory in the first game with 11-7 scoreline. Can she make her way to round two and add to @WeAreTeamIndia ‘s list of victories for the day ? #Abjeetegaindia🇮🇳
— Sports For All (@sfanow) July 24, 2021

Sutirtha Mukherjee vs Linda Bergstorem updates: Sutirtha, Manika win first round matches

Sutirtha Mukherjee beats Linda Bergestorem; Manika Batra beats Tin-Tin Ho in Olympics 1st round