India defeated Italy 3-0 in the women’s portion of the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan. India, seeded 17, will play Chinese Taipei, seeded four, in the round of 16.
Sreeja Akula gave India a lead start by defeating Nikoleta Stefanova 12-10, 11-6, 11-7 in just 20 minutes. Manika Batra made it 2-0 for India after playing a steady aggressive game and defeating Giorgia Piccolin 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 in 23 minutes.
Ayhika Mukherjee was cruising along after defeating Gaia Monfardini 2-0. The Italians came back in the third game, saving three match points to win 15-13. Ayhika, on the other hand, remained composed and won the fourth and rubber games 11-8.