Ultimate Table Tennis 2023 LIVE Score, Match 8: Chennai Lions vs Bengaluru Smashers

We have witnessed a cracker of a contest and Bengaluru Smashers win the Southern Derby to register their first win in the tournament, while also moving upwards in the points table. Right then, that's all we have for you from this contest! Join us back tomorrow as Dabang Delhi TTC take on home team Puneri Paltan. Until next time then, this is me, Maanas Upadhyay, bidding you adieu! Good night!

Tie Score:

Chennai Lions 7-8 Bengaluru Smashers

Sharath Kamal 1-2 Kirill Gerassimenko (10-11, 11-7, 10-11)
Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-2 Manika Batra (6-11, 11-10, 8-11)
Sharath/Yangzi 1-2 Kirill/Manika (11-6, 9-11, 7-11)
Benedikt Duda 2-1 Jeet Chandra (9-11, 11-9, 11-7)
Yangzi Liu 2-1 Natalia Bajor (5-11, 11-9, 11-6)

Game 3 Result: Yangzi Liu 11-6 Natalia Bajor

After losing the first game, it is Yangzi Liu who makes a good comeback and ensures that Chennai Lions' defeat is not a massive won. Yangzi has done a terrific job of getting the final two games on offer and it will certainly have crushed Bajor's confidence.

Game 3: Yangzi Liu 8-4 Natalia Bajor

A four-point lead for Yangzi and there have been far too many unnecessary errors committed by Natalia. She's squandered a one-point lead. Yangzi has capitalised and collected five points on the bounce.

Game 3: Yangzi Liu 3-2 Natalia Bajor

Yangzi has taken a slender lead in the early moments of this game. Can Bajor regain her concentration and ensure Bengaluru's win is a big one?

Game 2 Result: Yangzi Liu 11-9 Natalia Bajor
(Tie Score: Chennai Lions 6-8 Bengaluru Smashers)

Yangzi scripts a terrific comeback to win the game! She was down but never out. With some clever gameplay, she has exposed the weaknesses of Bajor.

Game 2: Yangzi Liu 9-9 Natalia Bajor

All tied up now! Whew! This is getting tight!

Game 2: Yangzi Liu 8-7 Natalia Bajor

Yangzi in the lead now! Bajor has thrown away a good start!

Game 2: Yangzi Liu 5-6 Natalia Bajor

Yangzi has made a really good comeback here and has kept Natalia on her toes. Can she take the lead?

Game 2: Yangzi Liu 2-5 Natalia Bajor

Going into the timeout, it is Natalia who seems to be dominating proceedings. Can she seal the deal?

Game 2: Yangzi Liu 2-2 Natalia Bajor

Tied up nicely and this game might just go in favour of who can take the lead from here on!

Game 1 Result: Yangzi Liu 5-11 Natalia Bajor
(Tie Score: Chennai Lions 5-8 Bengaluru Smashers)

And that will be it! Bajor has done it for the smashers and she guarantees a tie win for them, having gotten them to eight game wins now. Hardly anything given away by her here and she might just be looking to taking home the next two games as well.

Game 1: Yangzi Liu 5-9 Natalia Bajor

Natalia is mighty determined to win this but Yangzi is slowly creeping back in the game.

Game 1: Yangzi Liu 2-5 Natalia Bajor

After Yangzi was up by two points, it is Bajor who has taken five points on the trot to set up the game nicely for her.

Whew! We are in for a fantastic finish! If Yangzi can win all three games, she can hand Chennai a win. On the other hand, if Natalia wins even one game, it will be a win for Bengaluru Smashers.

Match 5 (Women's Singles): Yangzi Liu vs Natalia Bajor

Tie Score:

Chennai Lions 5-7 Bengaluru Smashers

Sharath Kamal 1-2 Kirill Gerassimenko (10-11, 11-7, 10-11)
Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-2 Manika Batra (6-11, 11-10, 8-11)
Sharath/Yangzi 1-2 Kirill/Manika (11-6, 9-11, 7-11)
Benedikt Duda 2-1 Jeet Chandra (9-11, 11-9, 11-7)

Game 3 Result: Benedikt Duda 11-7 Jeet Chandra

Despite a comeback attempted by Jeet, it is Benedikt Duda who takes home the game and the match to keep Chennai Lions afloat in this contest!

Game 3: Benedikt Duda 8-6 Jeet Chandra

Duda keeps maintaining the lead but we cannot rule out a comeback from Jeet here.

Game 3: Benedikt Duda 6-5 Jeet Chandra

Jeet has gotten the deficit down to just one point now and boy, he's pumped up! Duda looking to play a few mind games now!

Game 3: Benedikt Duda 5-3 Jeet Chandra

Point-by-point, Jeet is making a comeback but Duda will be looking to seal the contest.

Game 3: Benedikt Duda 4-1 Jeet Chandra

Duda taking a good lead in the contest and it will be upto Jeet to make a comeback now.

Game 2 Result: Benedikt Duda 11-9 Jeet Chandra
(Tie Score: Chennai Lions 4-7 Bengaluru Smashers)

A close game but it is Duda who takes it home. Jeet continued avoiding the game point to go in Duda's favour but in the end, he perishes to a backhand smash. It is levelled up and Duda will be looking to win the last game as well.

Game 2: Benedikt Duda 9-7 Jeet Chandra

Benedikt still the favourite to win this game but Jeet is creeping up on the scoreboard.

Game 2: Benedikt Duda 7-5 Jeet Chandra

Benedikt had a good lead but two points on the trot for Jeet has announced a bit of a comeback for him.

Game 2: Benedikt Duda 5-3 Jeet Chandra

Benedikt will be aiming to take home this game and keep the Chennai Lions afloat. Chennai cannot lose a single game in this tie if they want to win!

Game 2: Benedikt Duda 3-2 Jeet Chandra

Chandra is putting up a fight here in the second game and will be looking to seal the deal. However, it is easier said than done against Duda.

Game 1 Result: Benedikt Duda 9-11 Jeet Chandra
(Tie Score: Chennai Lions 3-7 Bengaluru Smashers)

Whew! Jeet has pulled off a big upset. Not many might have expected to win a single game but he's done it for his side! Bengaluru Smashers have come out a very different side today!

Game 1: Benedikt Duda 6-8 Jeet Chandra

A two-point game now but Jeet is still ahead in the contest. Can he hold onto it?

Game 1: Benedikt Duda 3-7 Jeet Chandra

Jeet is pulling off an upset here! Whew! Duda doesn't have any answers for Jeet's attacking intent!

Game 1: Benedikt Duda 2-4 Jeet Chandra

Benedikt had a 2-0 lead but Jeet has taken four points on the trot to get back in the game with great fervour.

Match 4 (Men's Singles): Benedikt Duda vs Jeet Chandra

Tie Score:

Chennai Lions 3-6 Bengaluru Smashers

Sharath Kamal 1-2 Kirill Gerassimenko (10-11, 11-7, 10-11)
Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-2 Manika Batra (6-11, 11-10, 8-11)
Sharath/Yangzi 1-2 Kirill/Manika (11-6, 9-11, 7-11)

Game 3 Result: Sharath/Yangzi 7-11 Kirill/Manika

Done and dusted! The mixed doubles goes in favour of the Smashers too and they are bossing proceedings here! They have a sound lead but given the next two fixtures, Chennai will feel like they still have a chance.

Game 3: Sharath/Yangzi 5-8 Kirill/Manika

A good lead for Manika and Kirill now! Can they preserve it and build up further on it?

Game 3: Sharath/Yangzi 4-5 Kirill/Manika

A one-point lead for Kirill and Manika. Now, it will be Sharath playing to Manika. That battle will go a long way in deciding the fate of the contest!

Game 3: Sharath/Yangzi 3-3 Kirill/Manika

Sharath and Yangzi have taken three points on the trot to wipe off a three-point lead. Momentum on their side!

Game 2 Result: Sharath/Yangzi 9-11 Kirill/Manika
(Tie Score: Chennai Lions 3-5 Bengaluru Smashers)

Kirill and Manika have levelled the match score and have put Bengaluru in the ascendency once again! Some extravagant paddle-play from the duo sees them get the better of their opponents. Can they go the distance and win the third game as well?

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 9-9 Kirill/Manika

All tied up and the next couple of points will prove to be crucial!

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 8-7 Kirill/Manika

Sharath and Yangzi in the lead now and all of a sudden, the pressure will be on Manika and Kirill.

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 6-7 Kirill/Manika

They continue maintaining the one point lead but can they finish it off quickly?

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 4-5 Kirill/Manika

Kirill and Manika have taken a one-point lead but Sharath and Yangzi can wipe it off in a flash/

Game 2: Sharath/Yangzi 3-3 Kirill/Manika

All tied up in this game once again. It'll be interesting to see who can take the lead initially?

Game 1 Result: Sharath/Yangzi 11-6 Kirill/Manika
(Tie Score: Chennai Lions 3-4 Bengaluru Smashers)

Sharath and Yangzi have taken the first game and reduced the tie deficit to just one game now. The mixed doubles is usually when the fate of the tie is decided. Who will win it?

Game 1: Sharath/Yangzi 8-4 Kirill/Manika

Sharath and Yangzi running away with the game now and they are just three points away from the win now!

Game 1: Sharath/Yangzi 5-2 Kirill/Manika

Sharath and Yangzi have taken a good lead initially and it will be up to Kirill and Manika to make a comeback here.

Match 3 (Mixed Doubles): Sharath Kamal/Yangzi Liu vs Kirill Gerassimenko/Manika Batra

Tie Score:

Chennai Lions 2-4 Bengaluru Smashers

Sharath Kamal 1-2 Kirill Gerassimenko (10-11, 11-7, 10-11)
Sutirtha Mukherjee 1-2 Manika Batra (6-11, 11-10, 8-11)

Game 3 Result: Sutirtha Mukherjee 8-11 Manika Batra

Manika does it for Bengaluru! She has had some troubles against Sutirtha but finally gets the better of her on this occasion!

Game 3: Sutirtha Mukherjee 7-9 Manika Batra

Sutirtha cannot keep her lead as Manika collects three points on the trot. Can she win the game and the match!