Dempo Goa Challengers Set for Semi-Final Clash Against U Mumba in UTT Season 6

Exciting Semi-Final Showdown in Ultimate Table Tennis

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 14: The reigning champions, Dempo Goa Challengers, are gearing up for their third consecutive final appearance as they face U Mumba TT in the second semi-final of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6 this Saturday, according to a recent announcement.

Having secured back-to-back championships, Dempo Goa is the only team to have clinched two UTT titles. They finished the league stage in second place with three tie victories and a total of 44 points. U Mumba, returning to the playoffs for the first time since Season 3, ended the league in third place, just two points behind their opponents. The winner of this match will advance to the Grand Finale on Sunday to compete against the Jaipur Patriots, who are making their first final appearance.

Organized by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, UTT is rapidly establishing itself as a leading professional league. All 23 matches will unfold over 16 thrilling days at Ahmedabad's EKA Arena, with tickets available exclusively through BookMyShow.

Dempo Goa Challengers have had a mixed performance throughout the league, alternating between wins and losses. However, they remain a formidable team, spearheaded by Harmeet Desai and the exceptional Zeng Jian, who has won all five of her matches, losing only one game in the league phase. Zeng has also been instrumental in mixed doubles, partnering with Harmeet for two crucial victories.

Harmeet has shown remarkable consistency, achieving four wins out of five matches, while Krittwika Sinha Roy has also made a mark, winning three of her four matches, including a notable victory against China's Fan Siqi. Brazil's Vitor Ishiy, who joined the team as a late replacement for Tiago Apolonia, kicked off his UTT journey with a win.

On the other hand, U Mumba enters the semi-final with strong momentum, having secured back-to-back tie victories. Their international players have found their rhythm, with Bernadette Szocs and Lilian Bardet each winning four out of their last five singles matches. Indian talent Yashaswini Ghorpade has continued her impressive form, achieving three wins from four matches, while Abhinandh Punjab made a significant impact in his debut, defeating Singapore's Izaac Quek, one of the league's top foreign players. The Szocs-Akash Pal duo has also excelled in mixed doubles, winning three out of five matches.

This semi-final marks the first encounter of the season between Dempo Goa Challengers and U Mumba, as they did not face each other during the league stage. With both teams boasting in-form players, this match promises to deliver high-stakes action as they vie for a spot in the final.

Squads:

Dempo Goa Challengers: Zeng Jian (Singapore), Harmeet Desai, Vitor Ishiy (Brazil), Ronit Bhanja, Krittwika Sinha Roy, Sayali Wani

U Mumba: Bernadette Szocs (Romania), Lilian Bardet (France), Yashaswini Ghorpade, Swastika Ghosh, Akash Pal, Abhinandh PB.