Olympian Alvaro Robles produced two commanding performances as Dempo Goa Challengers defeated Dabang Delhi TTC 8-2 on Friday to become the first team to reach the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 final.
Playing before their home supporters in Goa, the Challengers continued their unbeaten run after dominating the first semi-final. Robles won both his men’s singles and mixed doubles matches as Goa moved within one victory of the title after becoming the first team in UTT history to finish the league stage unbeaten.
Goa seized control from the opening contest when Robles defeated Youssef Abdelaziz in straight games. After comfortably taking the opening two games, the Spaniard recovered from 7-10 down in the third game to complete an 11-8, 11-4, 11-10 victory, giving the hosts a 3-0 lead.
Former champions Dabang Delhi TTC reduced the deficit through Maria Xiao. Bernadette Szocs edged the opening game before Xiao responded strongly to claim the next two games and earn Delhi’s only point of the tie.
Goa restored their advantage in the mixed doubles as Robles partnered teenager Syndrela Das to beat Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Maria Xiao in straight games. The pair won 11-9, 11-8, 11-3 to move the Challengers to the brink of qualification.
With the tie on the line, Abhinandh P.B. sealed Goa’s place in the final by defeating Delhi captain Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 11-9 in the deciding singles contest.
Robles was named both the ChatGPT Match IQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie. Syndrela Das received the Indian Player of the Tie award, while Maria Xiao won the Bisleri Shot of the Tie honour.
Butterfly UTT Season 7 is being staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India and features 42 players from around the world, including 14 Olympians.
Dempo Goa Challengers will now await the winners of the second semi-final between Kolkata and U Mumba, scheduled for Saturday.
Final Scores
Butterfly UTT Season 7 – Semi-final
Dempo Goa Challengers 8-2 Dabang Delhi TTC
- Alvaro Robles bt. Youssef Abdelaziz 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-10)
- Bernadette Szocs lost to Maria Xiao 1-2 (11-10, 6-11, 4-11)
- Alvaro Robles/Syndrela Das bt. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Maria Xiao 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-3)
- Abhinandh P.B. bt. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 1-0 (11-9)
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