Ayhika Mukheerjee and Suthira Mukherjee were defeated in the women's doubles semi-final by the North Korean duo of Sugyong Pak and Suyong Cha. The match concluded with a score of 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 2-11 in favor of the North Korean pair. They had to settle for bronze but it was a historic medal as it was India's first ever Table Tennis medal for India in the Women's Doubles at the Asian Games, after the duo defeated World Ranking1 in the Quarters.
Sutirtha and Ayhika narrowly lost 3-4 (11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 2-11) to Suyong Cha and Sugyong Pak, but they secured the bronze medal after a remarkable victory over the world champions from China earlier on Saturday.
With this outcome, India's representation at the Games came to an end. The unexpected medal came as a result of the Indian duo defeating the Chinese pair of Meng Chen and Yidi Wang in the quarterfinals.
In 2018, India made history by securing unprecedented bronze medals in men's team and mixed doubles events.
The distinction in Monday's match from the quarterfinal was that the North Korean players were not as troubled by Ayhika's anti-spin rubber as the Chinese pair had been.
Sutirtha commented, "We failed to exhibit the patience they did. We were a bit nervous in the final game, and they executed their attacks effectively to secure points."
Nonetheless, Ayhika added, "We are delighted with a podium finish, especially as it's the first in women's doubles."
In the final game, the Indian pair needed to sustain their attack but struggled to do so. The North Koreans took a commanding 6-1 lead as they launched a counter-offensive. Sutirtha's forehand error sealed their fate.
Nonetheless, this achievement is monumental for the Indian players, and they are now eager to build on their success.
