Ultimate Table Tennis 2023 LIVE, Match 1: Chennai Lions vs Puneri Paltan TT Live Updates & Commentary

Ultimate Table Tennis 2023 kicks off with a high-octane clash between defending champions Chennai Lions and Puneri Paltan TT. As both teams look to kick-off their campaign with a bang, we are in for a cracker of a contest. Stay tuned for live updates from the match!

Right then, it has been a grand return for UTT and although season 4 has started off with a one-sided contest, we can certainly expect some close contest to come up going forward. That's all that we have for you from the curtain-raiser of UTT. Join us back tomorrow at 7:30 pm IST once again as Bengaluru Smashers take on U Mumba TT. Until then, this is the duo of Maanas Upadhyay and Farzan Mohamed bidding you adieu! Good night!

Tie Score: Chennai Lions 10-5 Puneri Paltan TT

Sharath Kamal 2-1 Omar Assar (11-10, 9-11, 11-6)
Yangzi Liu 2-1 Archana Kamath (11-5, 11-10, 10-11)
Sharath/Yangzi 3-0 Omar/Archana (11-5, 11-8, 11-2)
Benedikt Duda 2-1 Manush Shah (11-9, 11-7, 7-11)
Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-1 Hana Matelova (6-11, 11-5, 2-11)

A comprehensive win for the Chennai Lions and they begin their title defense with a fierce win over the Puneri Paltan. It all started with Sharath Kamal getting the better of the Egyptian Omar Assar in a closely fought contest. The second one was similar, with Yangzi Liu displaying why she's one of the best in the world. The inexperience of the Puneri Paltan side was really showing.

The third match was the killer blow where Sharath and Yangzi completely outplayed Omar and Archana to snap up three valuable games. A match won by straight games and Puneri Paltan TT needed to win all their remaining games to win, a feat that was next to impossible. While Manush Shah showed glimpses of brilliance as he went down fighting, he failed to get the better of the international star Benedikt Duda.

Sutirtha was impressive in bits and won the second game of her match against Hana Matelova but in the end, it was the foreign player who took home the laurels, winning two games quite comfortably. In the end, ti was quite a one-sided match and the Chennai Lions will be absolutely pleased with how this game has unfolded for them.

GAME 3 result: Sutirtha Mukherjee 2-11 Hana Matelova

Hana Matelov dominated the final game against Sutirtha Mukherjee. The Chennai Lions' paddler had no chance in Game 3 as she was completely outplayed by Hana Matelova.

GAME 3: Sutirtha Mukherjee 2-10 Hana Matelova

Eight points in a single for Hana Matelov before she concedes a point to Sutirtha Mukherjee. GAME POINT for Hana Matelova!

GAME 3: Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-8 Hana Matelova

Unbelievable scenes in Pune! Hana Matelova leads the 3rd game 8-1. Sutirtha Mukherjee hasn't managed to pick up any points after the one she picked up early in the game.

GAME 3: Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-5 Hana Matelova

Three more points for Hana Matelova as she extends her lead against Chennai Lions' Sutirtha Mukherjee. The Puneri Paltan player stands well ahead of her opponent during the time-out.

GAME 3: Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-2 Hana Matelova

Once again, it's Hana Matelova who starts the game on a positive note. She picked the first couple of points before Sutirtha Mukherjee bags one.

GAME 2 result: Sutirtha Mukherjee 11-5 Hana Matelova

Sutirtha Mukherjee bags the 6th consecutive point as well. She won the game with an impressive score of 11-5. All eyes are on Game 3 now!

GAME 2: Sutirtha Mukherjee 10-5 Hana Matelova

Five straight points for Sutirtha Mukherjee as she outplays her opponent in the 2nd game despite a poor start. Her aggressiveness has come to her support as she's just one point away from victory.

GAME 2: Sutirtha Mukherjee 5-5 Hana Matelova

The game is moving smoothly with both players picking up points. The points stand at 5-5 and it could be anyone's game from here.

GAME 2: Sutirtha Mukherjee 3-3 Hana Matelova

Sutirtha Mukherjee bags a couple of points to level the points at 3-3. Chennai Lions' have nothing to worry about as they have already won the tie. However, a few additional points will help them in the event going forward.

GAME 2: Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-3 Hana Matelova

Same scores once again as Hana Matelova has picked up three points, while Chennai Lions' Sutirtha Mukherjee has only one single point to her name.

GAME 1 Result: Sutirtha Mukherjee 6-11 Hana Matelova

Hana Matelov takes Game 1! Puneri Paltan's main player and the fan favourite has lived to her fans' expectations thus far, winning the 1st game, 11-6.

GAME 1: Sutirtha Mukherjee 6-9 Hana Matelova

Hana Matelova is two points away from winning the game. Sutirtha Mukherjee will need to work on her game if wants to win points for Chennai Lions.

GAME 1: Sutirtha Mukherjee 6-7 Hana Matelova

Sutirtha Mukherjee is slowly coming into the game. She is just one point behind Hana and will look to level the scores soon.

GAME 1: Sutirtha Mukherjee 3-5 Hana Matelova

Both players have bagged a couple of points each and moving ahead in the game. Hana Matelova is surely more experienced than Sutirtha Mukherjee but the Indian paddler is one who is known for her aggressive performances.

GAME 1: Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-3 Hana Matelova

Hana Matelova starts the game on a positive note with three points to their name. Sutirtha Mukherjee took longer than usual to open her account, but she finally managed to do so.

MATCH 5 (Women's Singles): Sutirtha Mukherjee vs Hana Matelova

Indian paddler Sutirtha Mukherjee will play for Chennai Lions. Meanwhile, Czech Republic paddler and fan favourite Hana Matelova will be in action for Puneri Paltan TT.

Tie Score: Chennai Lions 9-3 Puneri Paltan

Sharath Kamal 2-1 Omar Assar (11-10, 9-11, 11-6)
Yangzi Liu 2-1 Archana Kamath (11-5, 11-10, 10-11)
Sharath/Yangzi 3-0 Omar/Archana (11-5, 11-8, 11-2)
Benedikt Duda 2-1 Manush Shah (11-9, 11-7, 7-11)

GAME 3 Result: Benedikt Duda 7-11 Manush Shah

A much-needed point for Puneri Paltan TT and Manush Shah has done it by giving them the point. These points will help them in the later stage of the event.

GAME 3: Benedikt Duda 7-10 Manush Shah

GAME POINT for Manush Shah!

GAME 3: Benedikt Duda 6-9 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda is once again trailing by three points. Meanwhile, Manush Shah is just a couple of points away from winning the game.

GAME 3: Benedikt Duda 5-7 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda bags two back-to-back points before conceding a point to Manush Shah. He's not far behind the Paltan paddler and will look to catch up and ensure he finishes things off in style.

GAME 3: Benedikt Duda 3-6 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda looks frustrated as he trails by three points in Game 3. The German paddler doesn't seem happy as he continues to concede points to Manush Shah.

GAME 3: Benedikt Duda 1-4 Manush Shah

Manush Shah is in solid form now as he has a three-point lead over Benedikt Duda. Shah is finally playing the way he's been known for. Hopefully, he can end the match on a positive note.

GAME 2 Result: Benedikt Duda 11-7 Manush Shah

Another win for Chennai Lions as Benedikt Duda defeats Puneri Paltan TT's Manush Shah 11-7 in Game 2. Chennai Lions are leading the tie 9-2 and will look to make it 10 when Benedikt Duda takes on Manush Shah in the final game of Match 4.

GAME 2: Benedikt Duda 10-7 Manush Shah

GAME POINT for Benedikt Duda!

GAME 2: Benedikt Duda 9-7 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda continues his two-point lead against Puneri Paltan TT's Manush Shah.

GAME 2: Benedikt Duda 7-5 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda has been leading the second game and is most likely to bag the 2nd game too. However, one cannot rule out Manush Shah, considering his ranking and performances in the recently concluded WTT events.

GAME 2: Benedikt Duda 4-4 Manush Shah

Manush Shah looks very cool and calm. He has levelled the points at 4-4. The Indian paddler has decided to stick to this game plan and not try anything new. He doesn't want to do anything out of the way and will look to bag the 2nd game.

GAME 2: Benedikt Duda 3-2 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda leads by a point against Manush Shah. Both players are at their best and one again it could be anyone's game.

GAME 1 Result: Benedikt Duda 11-9 Manush Shah

Another point to Benedikt Duda and another point to Chennai Lions too. With this 11-9 victory over Manush Shah, the Lions have the lead at 8-2 with two games in the Men's Singles round.

GAME 1: Benedikt Duda 10-9 Manush Shah

GAME POINT to Benedikt Duda!

GAME 1: Benedikt Duda 9-9 Manush Shah

This is some excellent performance from both paddlers with the points levelled at 9 all. Who do you think will win from here?

GAME 1: Benedikt Duda 7-8 Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda is slowly picking up points and moving up the ladder. He is just one point behind Manush Shah and will look to catch up with the Indian paddler.

GAME 1: Benedikt Duda 5-7 Manush Shah

Some excellent display from Manush Shah. The Indian paddler has been doing wonders so far in Game 1. He is surely the favourite to win game 1 as well as the match.

GAME 1: Benedikt Duda 4-5 Manush Shah

Puneri Paltan TT's Manush Shah holds the lead by a point during the time-out. Benedikt and Manush are among the best players in their respective countries and look to give their best shot in the game.

GAME 1: Benedikt Duda 2-2 Manush Shah

The points are levelled between Benedikt Duda and Manush Shah. Both paddlers are in fine tough and the contest is neck to neck right now. Expect a thriller on the cards!

MATCH 4 (Men's Singles) - GAME 1: Benedikt Duda vs Manush Shah

Benedikt Duda from Germany will represent Chennai Lions while Manush Shah will represent Puneri Paltan in Match 4.

Tie Score: Chennai Lions 7-2 Puneri Paltan

Sharath Kamal 2-1 Omar Assar
Yangzi Liu 2-1 Archana Kamath
Sharath/Yangzi 3-0 Omar/Archana

Game 3 Result: Sharath/Yangzi 11-2 Omar/Archana

Hardly any fight put up by Omar and Archana in this game and they bore a largely defeated look. Sharath and Yangzi have won all three games in this match and Chennai are just one game away form a win in this match!

Game 3: Sharath/Yangzi 5-1 Omar/Archana

It is a repeat of the first game of this match as Sharath and Yangzi are completely outplaying their opponents here. This might end very badly for Puneri Paltan as the Lions seem to be running away with this match and the tie as well!

Game 2 Result: Sharath/Yangzi 11-8 Omar/Archana

The ball flies off the edge of Archana's racquet's edge and lands well outside the playing area. Her hexagonal racquet having an effect on her game?

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 10-8 Omar/Archana

A sudden turn of events as Sharath and Yangzi garnered four points on the trot. However, the Puneri Paltan duo get in a couple of points to keep them alive.

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 6-6 Omar/Archana

The game continues to hang in balance now as both sides are relentless in their approach.

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 4-4 Omar/Archana

The second game is turning out to be a close one, with both sides trading blows and increasing their points one-by-one. It will be interesting to see who emerges on top in this contest!

Game 1 Result: Sharath/Yangzi 11-5 Omar/Archana

Points in quick succession for the Chennai Lions duo and they have sealed the first game. Archana and Omar look largely clueless and will have to work together better to make a comeback.

Game 1: Sharath/Yangzi 8-5 Omar/Archana

A couple of unforced errors from the Chennai Lions duo and Puneri Paltan TT must be sniffing a comeback in this game!

Game 1: Sharath/Yangzi 8-4 Omar/Archana

Sharath and Yangzi are running away with this game. Sharath with an unreturnable smash there takes the ball away from the diving Omar.

Game 1: Sharath/Yangzi 5-3 Omar/Archana

At the first Timeout, it is Sharath and Yangzi who have maintained the two-point lead but will be looking to kick-off from here and seal the game by a big margin.