Manav Youth Olympics, Ankita qualifies for French Open qualifying round

Surat-based table tennis paddler has become the first Gujarati to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games, plus Ahmedabad's Ankita Raina to play in French Open Qualifying round for women.

Table Tennis player Manav Thakkar with the trophy. Source: Gujarat State Table Tennis Association

Gujarat's Manav Thakkar, the world No. 2 ranked Indian junior paddler has booked his ticket to Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by winning the Road to Buenos Aires 2018 YOG Series (Asia), held at Bangkok.

He beat Shao Josh Chua of Singapore 4-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-2, 11-9) in the final becoming the first Gujarati to play in the YOG.

Manav with coach Constantini after winning Road to Buenos Aires 2018 YOG Series - Asia in Bangkok. Source: Gujarat State Table Tennis Association

After getting a bye in his first round, the top-ranked Indian paddler defeated Panama's Jacobo Vahnish by 4-0 in the Quarter Final and Jordan's Khaled Khader with the same margin in the Semi-Finals of the tournament.

Ankita to play in French Open

Meanwhile one of the top-seeded women’s tennis players of India, Ankita Raina will play in the French Open Qualifying round where she will have a chance to enter in the main draw of the Grand Slam.

25-year-old Ankita becomes the second player after Sania Mirza to play in the French Open.

Ankita Raina of India will contest in French Open Qualifying Round. Source: Rahul Goyal - ITFTennis

Ankita's entry into the French Open Qualifying round comes on the back of consistent performances on the ITF and WTA tournaments this year after defeating higher ranking players.

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