Sreeja Akula at Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights: Akula progresses to the Ro16 with a win over Singapore's Zeng. Follow Sportskeeda for live updates on Sreeja Akula at the Paris Olympics 2024
15:32 (IST)31 JUL 2024
It wasn't the easiest of starts for the Indian, going down 9-11 in a hard fought first game. However, she responded strongly with her back against the wall, clinching the next game 12-10. From there on, she found her mojo and went rollicking along to win the next two games 11-5, 11-5, against Zeng Jian, who seemed to be rattled at that stage.
However, the Singaporean wasn't going to go down without a fight. The last two games were as intense as it can get with Zeng Jian stealing the fifth game 12-10, striving for a comeback and force a decider. Sreeja Akula had other plans though. The paddler from Hyderabad held her nerve in the sixth game, despite her opponent having a game point at one stage.
Sreeja won three points in a row from that stage, completing a 12-10 win in the final game and coming out on top in six games. She now progresses to the round of 16, where she will be hoping to continue her dream run. That's all we have from the coverage of this contest. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda's live blog for all the updates on Indian athletes at the Olympics. See you around, bye bye.
15:27 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Sreeja Akula becomes the 2nd Indian after Manika Batra to be in the round of 16 in Table Tennis in the Olympic Games. What an achievement for the 26 year old and what a way to celebrate her birthday.
SREEJA AKULA PROGRESSES TO THE ROUND OF 16! The birthday girl holds her nerve in her Olympic debut and moves into the next round after a thrilling encounter against the Singaporean, Zeng Jian. It was edge of the seat stuff throughout and it's the Indian paddler who scripts history by progressing into the round of 16.
Sreeja Akula stays in game six, for now! Now, there needs to be a difference of two to separate these two for an outcome in this game. Sreeja gets match point!
The tension is palpable now. Zeng Jian has the serve and will want to make the most of it. A shake of the head from Sreeja as she misses out on that occasion.
A bit of aggression from Sreeja now and she's getting some instructions from her coach as well, asking her to go across the forehand of Zeng Jian perhaps.
After a superb smash to move into the lead, Sreeja tried another one but didn't really execute it as well as she'd like. Even stevens early on in this game.
Third time lucky for Zeng Jian as she keeps herself in contention after winning game five. It's 3-2 as it stands and Sreeja needs to win one game to move into the next round. Sreeja might feel she did enough to warrant a win in the previous game and now she's got to get her focus all over again.
A stroke of luck for Akula as the ball bounces off the net and lands in her opponent's side. Zeng Jian is feeling the pressure here and opts for a timeout as she receives instructions from her coach.
This game is basically how most of this contest has unravelled. Neither paddler is giving away an inch as they keep battling out for each and every point.
It's now or never for Zeng Jian and the frustration is just starting to show a little bit. She's got to win this game to stay in the tournament. Simple as that.
A quick start to what could be the final game of this contest. Zeng Jian had started off confidently in this encounter but she's been taken aback by the swagger Sreeja has shown in her game.
As easy as you'd like. At one stage, it seemed like Sreeja Akula might have to grind it out to win this contest but now, she's doing it without breaking a sweat. Well, that's what she's making it look like anyway, going into a 3-1 lead and one game away from the Round of 16.
Two points away from taking another game now, is Sreeja Akula. She's switched into gear seamlessly after losing the first game and has steamrolled into the lead in no time.
A little birthday present from the Singaporean as she misses out on a simple smash, thudding it into the net. Sreeja ticking along nicely without much of a fuss.
This is stupendous stuff from Sreeja. She's raced into a 4-0 lead in the fourth game and is bossing proceedings at the moment! Zeng Jian looks nervous in the middle now.
Sreeja Akula asserts her authority and takes the lead! The birthday girl commands the third game and takes it 11-4, getting her nose in front in this contest. She was under a bit of pressure to begin with but she's remained level-headed to get into the lead.
Sreeja has some breathing room now. She's finding answers to most things thrown at her and it's about executing her plans with clear focus at this stage.
It's a change of tactic from Zeng Jian, by the looks of it. Instead of the flatter back hands, she's now giving the ball some air and changing the tempo of the rallies a little bit.
SREEJA AKULA LEVELS THINGS UP! It's a battle between these two players alright. The margin for error is minimal and they're both leaving everything out there to stay in front. 1-1 after two games. Strap in, folks. This one already has all the makings of a classic.
It was game point for Zeng Jian but she's failed to capitalise on it. She gets the serve back and she'll be looking to finish things off, like she did in the first game.
It's all even again. It was 9-9 in the first game as well, before Zeng Jian sealed the game with two consecutive points. This time Sreeja is on serve. Can she return the favour?
Zeng Jian slowly but surely inching closer once more. She looks laser focused right now and isn't going to go down without a fight. Level pegging again.
What a rally that was! A mix of attack and defence from both players and it's the Indian who eventually gets out on top. Now, can she finish the job in this game and level things up?
Zeng Jian keeps her calm and manages to level things up. Pressure right back on the Indian paddler now and it'll be interesting to see if she persists with the attack approach.
It's a terrific cross court smash from Sreeja to level things up in this opening game before smashing another one at the body. She's come out with an aggressive mindset in this game, that's for sure.
Zeng Jian takes the opening game and she might have a significant mental advantage going into the next games. It was a hard fought out opening game with both paddlers not looking to force the issue. Just testing the waters and matching each other stride for stride in that first game. It's the Singaporean who takes the lead eventually though.
14:41 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Game 1: Sreeja Akula (IND) 9 - 9 Zeng Jian (SGP)
The rallies are getting shorter as these two paddlers go at each other. Neither wants to give away an inch and there's nothing to separate the two right now.
14:39 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Game 1: Sreeja Akula (IND) 7 - 8 Zeng Jian (SGP)
Sreeja showing that she's not going to fold that easily. A couple of quick points to get back in this contest and now she's really back on her opponents tail. It's a battle of skill, of course, but it's also a battle of nerves in this game.
14:38 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Game 1: Sreeja Akula (IND) 4 - 8 Zeng Jian (SGP)
Constantly moving Akula to the back hand before opening up the other side of the table. That's what Zeng Jian is doing expertly at the moment. Can Sreeja find some answers?
14:37 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Game 1: Sreeja Akula (IND) 4 - 6 Zeng Jian (SGP)
Zeng Jian pumps herself up as she moves into the lead. She's doing a decent job of forcing Akula to keep going for the back hand.
14:36 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Game 1: Sreeja Akula (IND) 3 - 3 Zeng Jian (SGP)
It's Sreeja Akula's birthday today. The 26-year old will be hoping she can cap it off with a win as she aims to progress into the Round of 16.
14:35 (IST)31 JUL 2024
Game 1: Sreeja Akula (IND) 2 - 2 Zeng Jian (SGP)
Some quick rallies to get this game off to an engaging start already. Both athletes have a sense of calmness about them, almost making it nerve wracking to witness.
14:33 (IST)31 JUL 2024
The two players are out for the toss. Zeng Jian wins it and opts to serve first. While the players go through their warm ups, here's a quick look at Sreeja Akula's opponent, Zeng Jian 👇
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However, the Singaporean wasn't going to go down without a fight. The last two games were as intense as it can get with Zeng Jian stealing the fifth game 12-10, striving for a comeback and force a decider. Sreeja Akula had other plans though. The paddler from Hyderabad held her nerve in the sixth game, despite her opponent having a game point at one stage.
Sreeja won three points in a row from that stage, completing a 12-10 win in the final game and coming out on top in six games. She now progresses to the round of 16, where she will be hoping to continue her dream run. That's all we have from the coverage of this contest. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda's live blog for all the updates on Indian athletes at the Olympics. See you around, bye bye.