UTT 2024 Semifinal 1: Goa Challengers beat Bengaluru Smashers to enter second successive UTT final

The first semifinal of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 saw a dominant performance by defending champions Goa Challengers, who secured their place in the final for the second consecutive year by defeating the Bengaluru Smashers 8-4 on Thursday, September 5, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

The Bengaluru Smashers, who entered the semifinals as the top team from the league stage, were expected to continue their stellar run. However, it was the Goa Challengers, led by a brilliant performance from Harmeet Desai, who seized control of the match early and maintained their dominance throughout.

A closer look at the results of the first semifinal of UTT 2024: Goa Challengers vs. Bengaluru Smashers

The opening match saw Goa’s Mihai Bobocica take on Alvaro Robles in the opening match of the semifinal. Bobocica started off strong by taking the first game 11-8 and followed it up with an 11-7 win in the second. Though Robles fought back to win the third game 7-11, Bobocica's early wins handed Goa the overall victory in the match. It ended Robles’ unbeaten streak in the tournament.

In the second match, Goa’s Yangzi Liu delivered a stunning comeback against World No. 25 Manika Batra. After losing the first game 4-11, Liu rallied to win the next two games 11-7, 11-4, to extend her team’s early lead.

The mixed doubles match saw Manika Batra and Alvaro Robles provide hope for the Bengaluru Smashers as they reduced the deficit. The Bengaluru duo won the first game on a golden point, 11-10, and followed up with a convincing 11-7 win in the second game. Although the Goa Challengers’ pair of Yangzi Liu and Harmeet Desai won the final game 9-11, Bengaluru gained valuable points to close the overall gap in the tie.

The second men’s singles match undoubtedly saw the standout performance of the night. Harmeet Desai, India’s Olympian and the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, put on a clinical display in his encounter against youngster Jeet Chandra. Outclassing Chandra, Desai secured a comfortable win, taking the games 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, and ensuring Goa’s place in the final with an 8-4 overall scoreline.

Goa Challengers now await the winner of the second semifinal between Ahmedabad SG Pipers and former champions Dabang Delhi TTC, which will be played on Friday, September 6.

Complete results of the first semifinal of UTT 2024: Goa Challengers vs. Bengaluru Smashers

Goa Challengers 8- 4 Bengaluru Smashers

Mihai Bobocica 2-1 Alvaro Robles [11-8, 11-7, 7-11]

Yangzi Liu 2-1 Manika Batra [4-11, 11-7, 11-4]

Harmeet/Yangzi 1-2 Alvaro/Manika [10-11, 7-11, 11-9]

Harmeet Desai 3-0 Jeet Chandra [11-5, 11-9, 11-8]