Table Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights: Victories for Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra in first round but Sharath Kamal's campaign comes to an end as he faces defeat

Table Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024: Indian paddlers have a mixed bag at their Round of 64 matches with the women progressing forward into the next round. Follow Sportskeeda for live updates on Sport at Paris Olympics 2024

Manika Batra goes through to the second round as she registers a 4-1 victory over her opponent from Great Britain. It was a straightforward victory pretty much apart from a solitary game for the Brit with Manika showing her prowess. Eariler in the day, Sreeja had claimed a straight-games (4-0) victory as she too progressed to the second round. However, it was heartbreak for veteran Sharath Kamal who fell behind in his first round game as he suffered a loss which ended his Olympics' campaign as a single player. We still have Harmeet Desai slated to compete in his round of 64 match later in the night. All of that and much more, here at Sportskeeda.

Game 5: Manika Batra (IND) 11 - 5 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 4-1]
MANIKA WINS!!! Manika shows her class towards the end and makes light work of Hursey. It was a much more controlled game from Manika and she comes out trumps.

Game 5: Manika Batra (IND) 10 - 4 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-1]
A whipping forehand across the line after a patient rally gives 6 match points to Manika.

Game 5: Manika Batra (IND) 6 - 3 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-1]
The backhand has worked much better for Manika in this game and that has not allowed Hursey to get cheap points. Manika has now got a good lead.

Game 5: Manika Batra (IND) 2 - 2 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-1]
Manika misses a straightforward forehand smash and the Brit levels the score in the early stages of this game.

Game 5: Manika Batra (IND) 1 - 0 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-1]
The ball catches the edge of the table and that gives a point to Manika and she is off to a positive start in Game 5.

Game 4: Manika Batra (IND) 9 - 11 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-1]
No straight games victory for Manika as Hursey robs two points on Manika's backhand again and claims a game. Manika might need to look at that going forward here.

Game 4: Manika Batra (IND) 9 - 9 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-0]
Hurshey is not giving up yet as she targets the backhand of Manika once more. Has she got it in her to push it to one more game?

Game 4: Manika Batra (IND) 7 - 7 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-0]
This game is also turning out to be close in the middle stage with both players trading blows.

Game 4: Manika Batra (IND) 5 - 5 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-0]
Three consecutive errors from Manika on the backhand and scores are level here.

Game 4: Manika Batra (IND) 2 - 0 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-0]
A pinpoint push on the backhand followed by a rampaging forehand on the right and now Manika is in full flow here. Hursey is under extreme pressure.

Game 3: Manika Batra (IND) 11 - 9 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 3-0]
Hursey was able to save one out of the two game points that Manika had but ended up smashing the serve into the net on the second one and that means Manika is now 3-0 up in the match and is 1 game away from claiming a victory.

Game 3: Manika Batra (IND) 9 - 8 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 2-0]
Manika roars back into the lead and she is looking really determined now as we head into a timeout. Manika has been really assertive and whenever she has avoided the errors it has been tough going for Hursey.

Game 3: Manika Batra (IND) 6 - 8 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 2-0]
Three consecutive points for Hursey as the teenager is making a comeback in this game and now has the lead.

Game 3: Manika Batra (IND) 6 - 5 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 2-0]
Brilliant top spin on forehand smash from Manika and Hursey had no answers to it. Much more like it from the tall Indian, she felt really nice after that too.

Game 3: Manika Batra (IND) 4 - 4 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 2-0]
Errors after errors have been the story as Manika draws level. There have not been any long rallies and the style of play has been really aggressive leading to shorter and faster rallies.

Game 3: Manika Batra (IND) 0 - 2 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 2-0]
Manika is just looking a touch hurried and she is making much more errors than she would like. Gifts away two cheap points to her opponent at the start of the third game.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 12 - 10 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 2-0]
Brilliant play from Manika in the last couple of points as she claims the second game to go 2-0 up. She absolutely nailed her forehands to extract two errors from her opponent who had no answers.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 10 - 10 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 1-0]
DEUCE!! Hursey committed a backhand error followed by a service error from Manika to force this game into extra points.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 9 - 9 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 1-0]
Things have been much closer in this game and with the ever increasing number of errors there is nothing to choose between the two paddlers at this moment.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 6 - 6 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 1-0]
Manika commits two more unforced errors failing to find the table and the teenager is back on level terms.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 6 - 4 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 1-0]
Both the players are trying to be much more aggressive in the second game and that is why we are seeing an increased number of unforced errors.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 3 - 2 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 1-0]
The net has been kept busy as 4 out of 5 points in the game so far have been ended as the ball has hit it. Manika has a slender lead at the moment.

Game 2: Manika Batra (IND) 1 - 1 Anna Hursey (GBR) [Game score: 1-0]
Manika finds the net and then Anna returns the favor and we are all square at the start of the second game.

Game 1: Manika Batra (IND) 11 - 8 Anna Hursey (GBR)
Manika claims the first game with relative ease even though Anna tried to string in a few points towards the end. However, Manika was too good for her as she extracted another error from the Brit and drew first blood.

Game 1: Manika Batra (IND) 9 - 5 Anna Hursey (GBR)
Brilliant placement on the forehand from Manika as he makes her opponent stretch but to no avail. She is closing in on the first game.

Game 1: Manika Batra (IND) 6 - 3 Anna Hursey (GBR)
Manika is using the backhand to good effect and making the teenager from Great Britain commit some basic errors as she continues in the lead.

Game 1: Manika Batra (IND) 3 - 1 Anna Hursey (GBR)
It is a strong start for Manika who looks in control and is maintaining her composure as he picks up easy points in the early exchanges.

Both the girls are out there with Manika Batra to start off with the serve. We are all set..

Here is all you need to know about Anna Hursey, Manika's 18-year old opponent today 👇 -

Anna Hursey: All you need to know about Manika Batra’s opponent in table tennis Round of 64 at Paris Olympics 2024

As we build up towards Manika Batra'a first match at Paris 2024, do give this preview a read 👇 -

Paris Olympics 2024 Table Tennis: Manika Batra vs Anna Hursey preview, prediction, and where to watch

Manika's opponent is the 18-year old from Great Britain, Anna Hursey. The teenager is a Commonwealth Games medalist but this is her first appearance at the biggest stage and she has the Indian superstar to content with straightaway.

It has been a mixed day so far for the paddlers but next up will be India's poster girl in Table Tennis, Manika Batra who will be entering the South Paris Arena 4 for her Round of 64 contest. The 18th seeded Indian will be competing in her third Olympic games and she is coming in into the games on the back of some big wins earlier in the year.

Unfortunate result for Achanta Sharath Kamal, the flagbearer for India, as he exits after a defeat in the round of 64. He was up against a much-less anticipated paddle in Kozul but the Slovenian put up a brilliant performance. He stuck to his guns and put immense amount of pressure on the veteran and unfortunately for India and Sharath Kamal it was too much for the 42-year old veteran and he succumbed to it.

Game 7: Sharath Kamal (IND) 10-12 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-4]
SHARATH KAMAL BOWS OUT OF THE OLYMPICS!!!! Deni Kozul cannot believe it as he sinks down to the ground. It was another unforced error from Sharath Kamal as he hit the ball long and as that ball sailed past the table, the hopes for Sharath Kamal did so too. He is distraught at the result as an iconic Olympics career comes to an end for the highest ranked Indian Male TT Singles player.

Game 6: Sharath Kamal (IND) 10-10 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-3]
DEUCE!!! Kozul has eaten up on the lead and now we will need extra points to decide this one.

Game 6: Sharath Kamal (IND) 10-9 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-3]
Kozul keeps fighting and he has crept up right next to Sharath in the scoreboard as the Indian veteran calls for a time-out.

Game 6: Sharath Kamal (IND) 9-6 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-3]
Sharath misses a full-blooded forehand but he still enjoys a healthy 3-point lead as he looks to force a decider.

Game 6: Sharath Kamal (IND) 7-2 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-3]
Sharath Kamal is looking more like himself and now he is making Kozul look ordinary. The errors are coming thick and fast from the Slovenian and Sharath is turning it around

Game 6: Sharath Kamal (IND) 4-2 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-3]
Sharath Kamal is putting all his experience into play as he has made a brilliant start to the sixth game and now his body language seems really positive ass well.

Game 5: Sharath Kamal (IND) 11-8 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-3]
Sharath takes the fifth game and now the scoreline reads 3-2. This is turning out to be a thrilling encounter.

Game 5: Sharath Kamal (IND) 7-7 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 1-3]
Things are going to and fro and now it is all square between both the players.

Game 5: Sharath Kamal (IND) 5-4 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 1-3]
Consecutive points for Sharath and he is into the lead after a long while, is this the momentum shifting?

Game 5: Sharath Kamal (IND) 3 -4 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 1-3]
Sharath is hanging on for dear life but it is still Kozul who has the lead.

Game 5: Sharath Kamal (IND) 0 -2 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 1-3]
An unforced error from Sharath and an outright winner from Kozul after that sees him take the first two points of the game and now the pressure is firmly on the Indian.

Game 4: Sharath Kamal (IND) 7 -11 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 1-3]
Another error from Sharath and it is now 3-1 to the Slovenian. Sharath will need to win every game from here on.

Game 4: Sharath Kamal (IND) 5 - 9 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-2]
The ball goes to and fro for some time before Sharath hits it out of the table and now Kozul is 2 points away from taking the fourth game.

Game 4: Sharath Kamal (IND) 2 - 6 Deni Kozul (SLO) [Game score: 2-2]
Four points in a row for Kozul and Sharath is making some real uncharacteristic errors which is not helping the Indian's case.