Indian paddlers assure four medals

G Sathiyan, Anthony Amalraj, Manika Batra and Mouma Das stormed into the semifinals for a prospective all-India finals as they assured at least four medals from table tennis singles of the 12th South Asian Games here.
Two Sri Lankan opponents remained in between national champion Amalraj and Sathiyan in the semis after the Indians easily advanced without dropping a game in their respective quarters today.
Amalraj thrashed Deep Saun of Nepal 11-7 11-10 11-6 11-5 to set up a last-four clash against Rohan Sirisena, while Sathiyan cruised past Ali Sajad Faisal 11-3 11-5 11-2 11-5 in his best of seven games to book a date with Udaya Ranasinghe.

The women's quarterfinals were almost equally one-sided, with national champion Manika brushing aside Nabita Shreshta of Nepal and five-time former national champion Mouma overwhelming Mueena Mohamed as two Lankan rivals waited for them in the semis as well.
Manika thrashed her opponent 11-5 11-6 11-4 11-4 to book a last-four clash against Ishara Madhurangi, while Mouma thrashed her Maldvies opponent 11-6 11-6 11-3 11-4.