WTT Contender: Manika Batra cruises into semifinal, beats Korea's Choi Hyojoo

Manika will face world number 24 China's Zhang Rui for a place in the final later on Friday night

Star India paddler Manika Batra advanced to the WTT Contender semifinals after eking out a 3-2 win over Korea's Choi Hyojoo on Friday (January 20).

Lovely point from the Mixed Doubles semifinals against the mighty Korean pair yesterday here at WTT Contender Doha 2023.

We put up a valiant fight but lost out 1-3.@manikabatra_TT

Next up ->National ranking at Surat.#sathiyantt #tabletennis #sports

Credits : @WTTGlobal pic.twitter.com/Agof2fyQ8Z

— Sathiyan Gnanasekaran OLY (@sathiyantt) January 20, 2023

The world number 36 Manika toiled hard for 41 minutes before getting the better of Hyojoo 11-6 11-9 4-11 5-11 11-7 in the women's singles quarterfinal at Lusail Sports Arena. After taking a 2-0 lead, Manika surrendered the next two games tamely before holding her nerve to win the fifth game and seal a last-four spot. She will face world number 24 China's Zhang Rui for a place in the final later on Friday night.