Paddler Bhavina defeats defending champ Rankovic, storms into semis
Bhavina Patel is now the first para-paddler to reach the semifinals at the Paralympic Games
Tokyo [Japan], August 27 (ANI): India's para table tennis player Bhavinaben Hasmukhbhai Patel stormed into the semi-final by defeating World Number 2 Serbia's Borislava Peric-Rankovic 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the women's singles -- Class 4 here at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium -- Table 5 on Friday.
Bhavina Patel overwhelmed the defending champion Borislava Peric-Rankovic in straight sets by 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 in just 18 minutes.
The Indian got off to a good start as she took the first game 11-5 in just 5 mins. She continued her surge in the second set and clinched it by 11-6.
Riding on that brilliant momentum, Bhavina again faced no resistance from the Serbian and sealed the match by an 11-7 victory in the third set.
Earlier on Friday, Bhavina qualified for the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Paralympics after a scintillating 3-0 win over Joyce de Oliviera of Brazil. Bhavina defeated Joyce in three straight sets 3-0 (12-10, 13-11, 11-6) to clinch the game and move into the next round.