Sreeja Defeats Manika to Advance to the Round of 32 in Europe Smash 2025

Europe Smash 2025, Sreeja Akula defeated her countrywoman Manika Batra in a fiercely contested women’s singles Round of 64 match on Monday.

After a nearly 45-minute five-game thriller, Sreeja prevailed 3-2 (5-11, 11-9, 15-13, 10-12, 11-8).

The first game of the match started with both players tied at 5-5, but Manika took the lead after scoring six straight points. Similar rules applied to the second game, but Sreeja prevailed. Even though Manika was pursuing her countrywoman, Sreeja brought the match back to even.

After defeating her opponent in the third game and preserving two game points, Sreeja gained the lead for the first time in the match. In the fourth game, Manika scored five points in a row before Sreeja caught up. Manika forced the match into a decider after the score was tied at 10-10 this time as well.

Sreeja persevered in the last game and secured her place in the following round.

Manav Thakkar advanced to the Round of 32 after defeating Hiroto Shinozuka of Japan 3-1 in the men’s singles division (12-10, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9).