(by Steve Hopkins)

USA Table Tennis conducted its eighth Challenge Series event this week.   The event was another battle of the sexes with Ved Sheth taking on Joanna Sung.  Sheth represented Team Nittaku and Sung represented Team Butterfly.

The players traded the first two games.  The first game was 11-10 Sung.  A late surge by Sheth secured the second game 11-8.  It was all Sheth after that, with a strong short game generating opportunity for crisp winners.  Game three to Sheth 11-6, and gave four to sheth 11-6. The final game was tight early, but Sheth again pulled away late for the 11-7 win.

Nittaku has not narrowed the overall score to 5-3.  Next week it will be Aziz Zarehbin (for Team Nittaku) versus Rachel Sung (for Team Butterfly).  The first to 6 team wins takes the title, so Team Butterfly remains just one win away.  Tune in next week to watch the match hosted at the ICC Club in Northern California.

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