Sreeja Akula edged out senior compatriot Manika Batra 3-2 in a much anticipated WTT Europe Smash 2025 clash in Sweden fell firmly on the much-awaited all-India women’s singles clash. It was the Round of 64 and turned into a thriller.
It was only the second time that the two celebrated paddlers were facing off across the table in international competition. The World Table Tennis (WTT) Tour contest was to pit their varied styles, Manika known for her pimple rubber switches and short spurs defensively and the following blocks, and Sreeja who plays a more aggressive attacking style. As expected, it went down to the decider, but Sreeja prevailed.
In their last WTT meeting in 2021, Manika had won 3-2 holding off Sreeja’s emergence as India No 1, but that overtaking has since panned out for the Hyderabadi.
Sreeja has been extremely consistent and getting some fine results in the form on Top 15 scalps at WTT Contenders, especially Hina Hayata recently. However, she had never beaten Manika at an international meet before and Sweden would see the turning of tables.
Battle of attrition
It was an attrition battle, but Sreeja pretty clearly went for the jugular – Manika’s uncertain forehand to race to take the opener. The tall Delhi paddler, a CWG champ formerly, struck back using her backhand skiddy blocks and threw in all the tricks of spin to level scores.
The next two games followed the same pattern, even as urgency set in despite the prolonging exchanges. However, Sreeja who has been working on her mental strength came away far more poised in the decider. She kept a good intensity on attack, stayed precise and consistent and pounced on the short chops, remaining unerring in the serve. She would celebrate audibly pumping her fist.
In the next match though, Sreeja was caught out when she relapsed to using the long pimples, and couldn’t sustain aggression against the much higher ranked opponent. An attacking style is what suits Sreeja, and though the pimples are strategic, she will need to build endurance to not revert to pimples once the novelty or surprise wears off for opponents.
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