Table Tennis: Manika Batra targets India Open glory

New Delhi: Buoyed by her Rio Olympics experience, Delhi girl Manika Batra is keen to make a mark at the ITTF World Tour India Open when the main draw begins at Thyagraj Stadium here on Thursday.

“I am high on confidence going into the tournament. I am already in the main draw and will be looking forward to put in a good performance for my country and hopefully win the tournament,” Batra told this paper on Tuesday.

“I think the experience in Rio will always help me. It makes me want to drive for more. Though, I had not performed really well in my first Olympics, when you play in events in such as those, you tend to learn a lot from your experiences,” the 21-year-old added.

Batra lost to Katarzyna Franc-Grzybowska 12-10, 6-11, 12-14, 11-8, 4-11, 12-14 in the first round of the women’s singles competition at Rio but gave a good account of herself.

Manika is seeded 10th at the India Open, the highest among the home-based girls, and is also the lone Indian in the top 100.

With many stars skipping the event and the women’s field having only 28 confirmed entries, she will be under pressure to win in front of her home fans. However, instead of feeling pressure, the paddler is willing to focus on each game at a time.

“Yes, I think it will mean that I will have to live up to the standards set for me. But, going into a game I do not have such things in my mind and like to take each game at a time,” Batra said.

Asked who was the toughest opponent at the event, she said, “I think every match is tough and no one is easy to play against. Every player on her day can even upset a seeded player. I don’t think I’m wary of anybody specifically as I treat each and every opponent the same way.”

She is hopeful home players will perform to their potential, capitalising on their home advantage.

“I feel there will an advantage for all the Indian players as the crowd will be behind us and will be cheering us on each point we win.

“Everyone during the national camp was playing well. Everyone is high on confidence and will be hoping for support from the home crowd when we play. I am hoping every Indian in action can get to the last 32,” she added.