Indian table tennis ace Manika Batra produced a composed and resilient performance to defeat South Korea’s Lee Eunhye 3–1 in the Women’s Singles Round of 32 on January 16, 2026, at the Lusail Sports Arena, sealing her place in the next round after a tightly contested encounter that tested her patience and tactical discipline.
The match, played on Table 1, unfolded over four games and lasted close to 40 minutes, with Batra prevailing 12–10, 11–9, 8–11, and 11–5. While the scoreline suggests a controlled win, the contest was far closer than it appears, particularly in the opening two games, where fine margins and crucial points defined the outcome.
Lee Eunhye began the match confidently, using early aggression and sharp placements to put Batra under pressure in the opening rallies. The Korean took an early lead in the first game, forcing Batra to chase from behind. However, the Indian’s experience showed as she steadily clawed her way back, relying on her trademark forehand variations and deceptive serves to unsettle Lee’s rhythm. At 10–10, Batra held her nerve, winning the next two points to close the game 12–10 and gain an important psychological edge.
The second game followed a similar pattern, with both players trading points through the early and middle phases. Lee attempted to speed up the rallies, targeting Batra’s backhand and trying to rush her into errors. Batra, however, adjusted smartly, slowing down play when needed and mixing in higher-arching topspin shots to regain control. Once again, the game went down to the wire, but Batra was sharper in the closing moments, taking it 11–9 to move into a commanding 2–0 lead.
Facing elimination, Lee Eunhye responded with greater urgency in the third game. The Korean raised her intensity, attacking more decisively on receive and stepping around to finish points early. Batra momentarily struggled to contain the pace and fell behind as Lee opened up a lead midway through the game. Despite a brief comeback attempt from the Indian, Lee maintained her advantage and closed out the game 11–8, reducing the deficit to 2–1 and keeping the contest alive.
The fourth game proved to be the turning point in terms of momentum. After dropping the third game, Batra took a brief timeout early in the fourth, using the pause to regroup and refocus. The change was immediately visible. She returned to the table with renewed clarity, tightening her service patterns and placing the ball deeper into Lee’s forehand corner. This tactical shift paid dividends as Batra raced into an early lead, forcing Lee onto the defensive.
With confidence flowing, Batra began dictating rallies, varying spin and pace effectively and drawing errors from her opponent. Lee, who had looked dangerous in the previous game, struggled to find answers as Batra pulled away. The Indian maintained her composure through the closing stages and wrapped up the game 11–5, sealing the match 3–1 and confirming her progression to the Round of 16.
The detailed point-by-point progression highlighted Batra’s ability to handle pressure situations. She won several key rallies after service changes and made effective use of timeouts, particularly in the fourth game, to halt Lee’s momentum. Her consistency on crucial points especially at deuce in the opening game proved decisive in shaping the outcome.
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This victory continues Batra’s steady run in the tournament and underlines her status as India’s leading women’s singles player. While there were moments where Lee Eunhye’s aggression threatened to swing the match, Batra’s experience, tactical awareness, and mental strength ensured she remained in control when it mattered most.
As the competition moves into the Round of 16, Batra will look to build on this performance, knowing that sharper execution in the middle phases of games will be key against higher-ranked opposition. For now, the Indian camp will take confidence from a solid win that showcased both resilience and maturity under pressure.
