Desai defeats higher-ranked Frenchman to reach pre-quarters

Harmeet Desai produced a special performance to beat higher-ranked Frenchman Tristan Flore to enter the pre-quarterfinals of ITTF World Tour India Open table tennis tournament here today.
World number 112 Desai outplayed 77th ranked Flore in the opening three games before the Frenchman fought back to take the Round of 32 clash into the seventh and deciding game.
Trailing 5-6 in the decider, Desai displayed his class to take the next six points and secure one of the biggest wins of his career. The eventual scoreline read 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6.
"I have always found it tough against the French players. Therefore, really pleased to win this one. He played like he had nothing to lose after the first three games and I was a bit taken aback. The decider was very much a mental battle," Desai told PTI.

In other matches, Anthony Amalraj could not make much of an impact against Koki Niwa, the world number 19 from Japan, losing in four straight games.
It was also a forgettable day for the highest-ranked female Manika Batra, who put up an ordinary effort against compatriot Mousumi Paul to go down 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 4-11, 8-11 in the opening round.