Sayali Wani produced one of the biggest upsets of Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 with a stunning victory over India star Manika Batra, helping UP Prometheans register their first win of the campaign with an 8-7 triumph over Ahmedabad APL Pipers in Panaji, Goa, on Tuesday.
Despite entering the contest as World No. 151 against the vastly more experienced World No. 51 Manika, the 20-year-old displayed remarkable composure under pressure. With the tie locked at 6-6, Sayali defeated the three-time Olympian and multiple Commonwealth Games medallist 2-1 in a gripping contest to seal both the match and the overall tie for UP.
The defining moment came in the deciding game, where Sayali saved three match points before completing a memorable comeback. The victory not only marked one of the biggest wins of her career but also handed Manika her third consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Ahmedabad had appeared to be in complete control during the early stages of the tie. Payas Jain opened the scoring with a 2-1 win over Sudhanshu Grover before Sofia Polcanova defeated Yangzi Liu by the same margin, giving Ahmedabad a 4-2 advantage heading into the mixed doubles.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third match. UP’s Ricardo Walther and Swastika Ghosh delivered one of the standout performances of the season by upsetting the previously unbeaten pairing of Polcanova and Payas. The Indo-German duo dominated the contest, securing a convincing 3-0 victory to swing the tie in UP’s favour and hand their team a 5-4 lead.
Ahmedabad responded through Adrien Rassenfose, who claimed his first win of the season after overcoming a determined challenge from Walther. His victory ensured the contest would be decided in the final singles match.
With the pressure at its highest, Sayali rose to the occasion against one of India’s most decorated table tennis players. Remaining calm throughout the tense finale, she battled back from the brink by saving three match points before closing out a memorable 2-1 victory over Manika.
The result secured UP Prometheans’ maiden win in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 and will be remembered as one of the competition’s most remarkable upsets, with the young Sayali announcing herself on the big stage through a fearless performance under pressure.
