India’s Diya Parag Chitale ended her table tennis campaign in the Croatia Junior and Cadet Open by winning her second bronze medal in the Cadet Girls’ Singles category at Varazdin on Sunday.
Chitale beat world No 7 and the second seed Satsuki Odo of Japan 11-7, 3-11, 11-8, 12-10 in the quarter-finals to assure herself of a bronze.
Unfortunately, she lost to world No 11 and third seed Elizabet Abraamian of Russia in the semi-finals. However, after leading 11-6, 5-11, 11-7 and sitting pretty in the fourth game till the ninth point she fumbled. She lost that game 9-11 and the decider 5-11 to miss out on a silver.
Diya had earlier won bronze in the Cadet Girls’ (Under 15) team event, in the company of Russia’s Liubov Tentser.
Her good performances over the last few months have earned her a place in Team Asia. She will now play in the World Cadet Challenge Tournament in Fiji from October 21 to October 29.
