Manika Batra's Paris Olympics Journey Ends, Sreeja Akula Advances

Manika Batra's remarkable Paris Olympics journey concluded with a loss to Japan's Miu Hirano. Despite her exit, she made history by reaching the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Sreeja Akula celebrated her birthday by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals with a win over Singapore's Jian Zeng.

Manika Batra's splendid run at the Paris Olympics ended after a defeat against higher-ranked Japanese player Miu Hirano. Earlier in the day, compatriot Sreeja Akula celebrated her birthday by reaching the women's singles pre-quarterfinals in the table tennis competition.

Manika had become the first Indian to progress to the Round of 16 at the Olympic Games on Monday, and Sreeja joined her in the pre-quarterfinals with a 4-2 win over Singapore's Jian Zeng.

Against Miu, who has been in tremendous form, Manika lost 6-11, 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 7-11. Despite an impressive start in some games, Miu's pacy strokes proved too much for Manika. Meanwhile, Sreeja will next face China's world number one, Sun Yingsha, in the pre-quarterfinals.