U Mumba TT Continue Winning Run, Beat PBG Pune Jaguars to Go Top of Butterfly UTT Season 7
Reigning champions U Mumba TT continued their resurgence in Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 Powered by ChatGPT, defeating Maharashtra rivals PBG Pune Jaguars 9-6 in a thrilling derby clash at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa on Thursday.
After a slow start to the season, U Mumba have now found their rhythm, registering a second consecutive victory to climb to the top of the league standings. Their latest triumph was built on an outstanding mixed doubles performance from captain Manush Shah and Anna Hursey, followed by a nerve-wracking Golden Point victory from French paddler Lilian Bardet, who edged Egypt's Omar Assar in one of the most dramatic matches of the season.
Organised under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, Butterfly UTT Season 7 continues to showcase elite table tennis with 42 players, including 14 Olympians, competing across seven franchises.
The much-anticipated Maharashtra Derby began with PBG Pune Jaguars taking an early advantage. India international Snehit Suravajjula maintained his unbeaten run this season with another impressive display against U Mumba captain Manush Shah. Although Manush claimed the opening game 11-6, Snehit fought back brilliantly to win the next two games 11-9 and 11-6, giving Pune the early lead in the tie.
The victory once again underlined Snehit's excellent form, making him one of the standout Indian performers in the tournament.
As they have done repeatedly this season, U Mumba responded immediately through Welsh star Anna Hursey. Facing India's talented youngster Diya Chitale, Hursey produced another composed and mature performance. After edging the opening game 11-9, she briefly lost momentum as Diya levelled the contest, but Hursey quickly regained control to take the deciding game 11-6.
The victory not only levelled the overall tie but also continued Hursey's outstanding campaign, further strengthening her reputation as one of the league's most consistent foreign players.
The defining moment of the tie arrived in the mixed doubles. The U Mumba pairing of Manush Shah and Anna Hursey delivered a near-perfect performance against Snehit Suravajjula and Prithika Pavade, winning all three games convincingly. Their aggressive play, quick exchanges and excellent coordination allowed them to dominate throughout, with Pune unable to find any rhythm.
The straight-games sweep gave U Mumba a crucial cushion heading into the final two matches and shifted the momentum firmly in favour of the defending champions.
Bardet Wins Golden Point Classic
With Pune needing a comeback, the pressure fell on experienced Egyptian star Omar Assar, who faced France's Lilian Bardet. Assar made the stronger start by taking the opening game, but Bardet responded confidently to level the contest. The deciding game developed into one of the most memorable encounters of the season.
At one stage, Assar produced an extraordinary around-the-net winner that left the crowd stunned. The spectacular shot was later named the Bisleri Shot of the Tie.
However, Bardet refused to be rattled. With the match heading to a decisive Golden Point, the Frenchman displayed remarkable composure, winning the final rally to complete the comeback and effectively seal U Mumba's second consecutive victory. The dramatic finish once again highlighted why Golden Point remains one of Butterfly UTT's most exciting innovations.
Although the overall tie had already been decided, the final Women's Singles contest produced another entertaining battle. French international Prithika Pavade defeated Anusha Kutumbale 2-1 to ensure Pune finished the evening with a victory. The match featured the longest rally of the season, an incredible 31-shot exchange during the second game.
Both players displayed exceptional defensive skills, with Pavade repeatedly retrieving powerful attacks before eventually forcing the error. Anusha responded impressively by winning the third game through another Golden Point finish, producing a stunning backhand winner to conclude the contest on a high.
Several players were recognised for their outstanding contributions during the Maharashtra Derby.
Indian Player of the Tie: Manush Shah
Foreign Player of the Tie: Anna Hursey
ChatGPT Match IQ Player of the Tie: Anna Hursey
Bisleri Shot of the Tie: Omar Assar
Hursey's double award reflected another exceptional all-round performance that continues to make her one of the tournament's standout performers.
Earlier in the day, action continued in the Dream UTT Juniors, Butterfly UTT's grassroots competition running alongside the senior league. Dabang Delhi TTC strengthened their playoff hopes with a narrow 5-4 victory over UP Prometheans, while UP remained firmly in the race for the semi-finals despite the defeat. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad APL Pipers signed off their campaign with a 5-4 win over PBG Pune Jaguars, although both teams had already been eliminated from semifinal contention.
After suffering back-to-back defeats to begin their title defence, U Mumba TT now appear to have rediscovered the form that made them champions last season. Consecutive victories over Dabang Delhi TTC and PBG Pune Jaguars have propelled them to the top of the standings and restored momentum at a crucial stage of the tournament. With confidence growing and key players like Anna Hursey, Manush Shah and Lilian Bardet finding top form, U Mumba once again look like genuine contenders to retain their Butterfly UTT crown.
Final Score
U Mumba TT 9-6 PBG Pune Jaguars
Snehit Suravajjula bt. Manush Shah 2-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-6)
Anna Hursey bt. Diya Chitale 2-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-6)
Manush Shah / Anna Hursey bt. Snehit Suravajjula / Prithika Pavade 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-7)
Lilian Bardet bt. Omar Assar 2-1 (7-11, 11-7, 11-10)
Prithika Pavade bt. Anusha Kutumbale 2-1 (11-8, 11-10, 10-11)
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