<p>The Indian men's team, led by seasoned campaigner G Sathiyan, kept its hopes alive for a knock-out stage berth, beating Kazakhstan 3-2 in a closely fought group league tie of the World Table Tennis Championship here on Monday.</p>.<p>For the women's team, after a heartbreaking close defeat against Germany, Sreeja Akula and company prevailed over Egypt 3-1 to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.</p>.<p>The men's team now needs to beat France in the final group league match to finish on top of group 2 table.</p>.<p>In case the Indian team loses to France and Germany happens to beat Kazakhstan, then there will be a three-way tie between India, Germany and France.</p>.<p>After the high of beating Germany, Sathiyan started the new tie in earnest, making short work of Denis Zholudev in straight games. Sathiyan won 11-1, 11-9, 11-5.</p>.<p>However, Harmeet Desai had a poor outing against Kirill Gerassimenko to lose 6-11 8-11 9-11 in quick time.</p>.<p>But, young Manav Thakkar beat Alan Kurmangaliyev 12-10, 11-1, 11-8.</p>.<p>With 2-1 lead, Sathiyan was expected to close the tie in the fourth rubber but Kirill pipped the Indian ace 6-11, 11-5, 12-14, 11-9, 11-6 to restore parity.</p>.<p>However, Harmeet was in his element against Kazakhstan's weakest link Jholudev whom he beat 12-10, 11-9, 11-6.</p>.<p>In the women's event, the Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medallist Sreeja Akula won the first and fourth rubbers to clinch a place for India in the knock-out stages.</p>.<p>After a poor outing against Germany, Manika Batra won the second rubber while Diya Chitale ended second best against her opponent.</p>.<p>Sreeja beat Goda Han 11-6-11-4, 11-1 and Dina Mishref 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 while Manika struggled past Dina 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8 in five games to help India win the match. </p>
<p>The Indian men's team, led by seasoned campaigner G Sathiyan, kept its hopes alive for a knock-out stage berth, beating Kazakhstan 3-2 in a closely fought group league tie of the World Table Tennis Championship here on Monday.</p>.<p>For the women's team, after a heartbreaking close defeat against Germany, Sreeja Akula and company prevailed over Egypt 3-1 to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.</p>.<p>The men's team now needs to beat France in the final group league match to finish on top of group 2 table.</p>.<p>In case the Indian team loses to France and Germany happens to beat Kazakhstan, then there will be a three-way tie between India, Germany and France.</p>.<p>After the high of beating Germany, Sathiyan started the new tie in earnest, making short work of Denis Zholudev in straight games. Sathiyan won 11-1, 11-9, 11-5.</p>.<p>However, Harmeet Desai had a poor outing against Kirill Gerassimenko to lose 6-11 8-11 9-11 in quick time.</p>.<p>But, young Manav Thakkar beat Alan Kurmangaliyev 12-10, 11-1, 11-8.</p>.<p>With 2-1 lead, Sathiyan was expected to close the tie in the fourth rubber but Kirill pipped the Indian ace 6-11, 11-5, 12-14, 11-9, 11-6 to restore parity.</p>.<p>However, Harmeet was in his element against Kazakhstan's weakest link Jholudev whom he beat 12-10, 11-9, 11-6.</p>.<p>In the women's event, the Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medallist Sreeja Akula won the first and fourth rubbers to clinch a place for India in the knock-out stages.</p>.<p>After a poor outing against Germany, Manika Batra won the second rubber while Diya Chitale ended second best against her opponent.</p>.<p>Sreeja beat Goda Han 11-6-11-4, 11-1 and Dina Mishref 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 while Manika struggled past Dina 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 2-11, 11-8 in five games to help India win the match. </p>