Ultimate Table Tennis: Manika, Bernadette's clash on cards as PBG Bengaluru Smashers take on Ahmedabad SG Pipers

Chennai, August 30

PBG Bengaluru Smashers would look to consolidate their position in the race to the playoffs when they take on the tabletoppers, Ahmedabad SG Pipers, in Ultimate Table Tennis at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

The contest between PBG Bengaluru Smashers and Ahmedabad SG Pipers has plenty of potential mouth-watering clashes, with a possible face-off between two of the world's highest-ranked players in the competition — Manika Batra (World No. 25) and Bernadette Szocs (World No. 13).

The weekend's doubleheader action would continue later in the evening with defending champions Athlead Goa Challengers meeting hosts Chennai Lions.

Currently placed at the third spot in the table, PBG Bengaluru Smashers have won nine matches so far and accumulated 32 points from their three ties. On the other hand, Ahmedabad SG Pipers are charging toward the playoffs with 24 points from three ties. Meanwhile, the Athlead Goa Challengers are also on course for a play-off berth with 21 points from three ties, and a win against the Chennai Lions could propel them inside the top four.

PBG Bengaluru Smashers' clash with Ahmedabad SG Pipers would also potentially pit the dominant Alvaro Robles against France's Lilian Bardet, while Jeet Chandra's bout with Manush Shah would be one for fans to look out for.

Later in the day, Chennai Lions would be banking on the experience of Achanta Sharath Kamal to get the side's campaign back on track in his potential match-up with Harmeet Desai. Meanwhile, Athlead Goa Challengers' Yangzi Liu would be looking to bounce back from her first loss of UTT in a likely battle against Sakura Mori.