The Indian women’s singles table tennis challenge at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics came to a screeching halt after Manika Batra lost to Sofia Polcanova of Austria in the women’s singles third round on Monday. The Indian lost the encounter in 27 minutes in straight games – 8-11, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7.

In game 1, Manika did lead her Austrian opponent once in the match but was completely outplayed as the Austrian took the opening game 11-8 in eight minutes.

After losing the opening game, a flustered Manika was blown away in four minutes in the second game.

As Manika’s supporters hoped for a comeback, the Austrian had other plans in mind. She kept forcing Manika to make unforced errors as the Indian kept on gifting easy points.

While on one end Polcanova seemed confident and kept winning points, Manika looked out of sorts and could not get the start she wanted. The smashes were a bit too hot to handle for Manika.

In game 4, after winning a couple of points, it was Polcanova all the way as she took the game 11-7.

The star Indian player, who had stunned world number 32 on Sunday, did not have the game to challenge the attacking left-hander from Austria.

The only Indian left in the fray, Sharath Kamal, faces reigning Olympic champion Ma Long of China in the third round on Tuesday.

Long has won every singles title in the sport, and is the reigning world champion as well.

However, with the way the 32-ranked Sharath played against his 59th-ranked opponent, it has given him immense confidence going into the round of 32 match against the mighty Chinese.

“I think it was one of the best matches I have played. The first game I don’t know what happened, I could not connect bat with ball, I was all over the place. From there I could lift myself up,” he said.

“My opponent expected a different Sharath but I surprised him with my backhand, which was fantastic. All the work I have done on my backhand for the last six month paid off,” he added.

Since Ma Long will be playing his first match, Sharath sees an opening there.

“He is yet to play (with bye in the first two rounds). So, there will be pressure on him. Like I have said earlier, I have never felt better about my game. Hopefully, I can challenge him,” added Sharath.