Tokyo Paralympics 2020: Bhavina Patel Storms Into Women’s Singles Semifinals, Assured of a Medal

India's Bhavina Patel became the first Indian Paralympian to be assured of a medal in table tennis at the Tokyo Paralympics by making it to the semifinals of Women's Singles Class 4 on Friday.

Tokyo: India’s Bhavina Patel became the first Indian Paralympian to be assured of a medal in table tennis at the Tokyo Paralympics by making it to the semifinals of Women’s Singles Class 4 on Friday.

Bhavina went past Borislava Rankovic of Serbia 3-0 in the quarter-final and would be hopeful of her chances of winning a gold medal for India in her category. She won 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 in 18 minutes to secure her place in the semis and assuring India a medal.

Bhavina In Semifinal!!@BhavinaPatel6 wins her Class 4 Quarterfinal match 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-7) against #SRB Borislava Rankovic Peric to advance to the Semifinal

Brilliant performance by Bhavina!

Let’s cheer loudly for her with #Cheer4India #Praise4Para pic.twitter.com/67MOGM7XdA

— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 27, 2021

Earlier, Bhavina defeated Brazil’s Joyce de Oliveira 3-0 (12-10, 13-11, 11-6) in just 23 minutes of action in her Round of 16 clash.

Though Oliveira took Bhavina to extra points in the first two games, the Indian was always in control of the match as she served well. Bhavina won 19 points on her serve and lost 13.

#Paralympics #Tokyo2020 #ParaTableTennis Player @BhavinaPatel6 cruised into the quarter-finals, had to say #Cheer4India #Praise4Para #LICSupportsParalympics@ianuragthakur @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @ddsportschannel @TheLICForever @MyIndianBank @VedantaLimited pic.twitter.com/FqtHZ6LZ84

— Paralympic India 🇮🇳 #Cheer4India 🏅 #Praise4Para (@ParalympicIndia) August 27, 2021

The 33-year-old from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, who developed an impairment in her legs due to polio at a young age, had to come back from a points deficit in all three games and kept her composure as the Brazilian paddler attacked. She had the biggest lead of five points in the third game but by that time Oliveira’s fight was as good as over.

(With IANS inputs)