India’s table tennis journey has come to an end following Sharath Kamal’s loss to Ma Long of China in the third round of the men’s singles on the fourth day of the Tokyo Games where he lost 4-1 on Tuesday despite his intense battle.
Sharath is positioned in 32nd rank internationally still he managed to keep the second-seeded Long for the initial three games. He missed the first one with 7-11 but fought back in the second and supervised to lead 8-4 but world number two cut it back to 8-8. Indian then gained two back to back points and advanced two game points and renovated it in the first try to take the second with 11-8.
With a competitive third game, both the athletes governed to lead one another’s lead and Sharath urged the game towards the advancement that went long ultimately with a 13-11 victory. Long replied back in the fourth game with a 6-0 lead. Sharath then survived to get his first point but not enough in front of the Chinese as it ended in his favour with 11-4.
20th seeded in the Olympics Sharath, had progressed to the third round of the much-awaited mega event with a triumph against Tiago Apolonia of Portugal. He was also knocked out with Manika Batra in the first round of the mixed doubles on an opening day.
