New Delhi: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manika Batra faces Great Britain’s Anna Hursey in her women’s singles opening round match, while Achanta Sharath Kamal is drawn against Deni Kozul of Slovenia in his men’s singles opener.
As per the draws announced on Wednesday, they would begin their campaigns on July 27. Harmeet Desai is up against Abo Yaman of Jordan in men’s singles, while 16th seed Sreeja Akula begins her campaign against Sweden’s Christina Kallberg in women’s singles.
18th seed Manika had been the first women’s player of the country to reach the round of 32 in singles at Tokyo 2020.
Commonwealth Games champion Sharath Kamal leads a six-member table tennis contingent. It will be the fifth and final appearance at the Games for the 41-year-old all set to make his fifth appearance at the Olympics while Manika will appear in her third Games on the trot.
Manika arrives in paris after achieving her career-best world ranking of No. 24 following a display of impressive form in Saudi Smash.
India are seeded 11th in the women’s team event and will open their campaign against fourth seeded Romania. India have kept 2018 and 2022 CWG gold medallist Gnanasekaran Sathiyan in the reseves list.
Apart from Manika and Sreeja, Archana Kamath is the third member of the Indian women’s team event while Ayhika Mukherjee is the reserve player. If India beat Romania they will march straigh into the quarterfinals.
The Indian men’s team comprising Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar and national champion Harmeet, face the top-ranked China in a tough opening round clash.
It will be the first time India will compete in the men’s and women’s team events since theys were introdcued at Beijing 2008.
It will be the first time India will compete in the men’s and women’s team events since they were introdcued at Olympics in Beijing 2008. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
