Alvaro Robles and Syndrela Das in action in the semifinal against Dabang Delhi.
| Photo Credit: Butterfly UTT
Spanish veteran Alvaro Robles starred with another flawless display as Dempo Goa Challengers outclassed Dabang Delhi TTC 8-2 to storm into its third Ultimate Table Tennis final in four seasons at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Friday.
The lanky left-hander remained unbeaten across all six of his games — singles and mixed doubles — ensuring Goa’s march to the title clash was never seriously threatened.
Robles’ clinical showing also meant Bernadette Szocs’ unexpected 2-1 loss to Maria Xiao did little to dent the home side’s momentum. By the time the mixed doubles concluded, Goa had surged to a commanding 7-2 lead, leaving Delhi with a near-impossible task.
Teenager P.B. Abhinandh then sealed the deal with a spirited comeback against Delhi captain G. Sathiyan. Needing to avoid conceding even a single game to keep Delhi alive, Sathiyan raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening game. But Abhinandh found his range with a succession of forehand topspin winners, reeling off seven straight points to seize control. Although Sathiyan fought back to level at 9-9, the Goa youngster held his nerve on his two service points to seal the game and spark celebrations among the home supporters.
Robles had laid the platform earlier in the evening by dominating the all-left-handed contest against Egypt’s Youssef Abdulaziz. His superior reach and heavy forehand sidespin repeatedly unsettled the Delhi paddler as he pocketed the opening two games. Abdulaziz came within touching distance of pulling one back after earning two game points in the third, but Robles produced another timely comeback before forcing a backhand error on the golden point.
Maria’s impressive victory over Szocs briefly revived Delhi’s hopes, but Robles again proved decisive. Partnering teenager Syndrela Das in the mixed doubles, he expertly controlled the contest despite a few nervy moments from his partner, completing a clean sweep that effectively sealed Goa’s place in the final.
The result: Semifinal:Dempo Goa Challengers bt Dabang Delhi TTC 8-2 (Alvaro Robles bt Youssef Abdulaziz 11-8, 11-4, 11-10, Bernadette Szocs lost to Maria Xiao 11-10, 6-11, 4-11, Robles & Syndrela Das bt G. Sathiyan & Maria 11-9, 11-8, 11-3, P. B. Abhinandh bt G. Sathiyan 11-9).
Saturday’s semifinal: HVR Kolkata Thunder Blades vs U Mumba TT.
Published – July 24, 2026 10:07 pm IST
