Tokyo Olympics: Achanta Sharath Kamal advances to third round, faces defending champ Ma Long next

The Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal now has a tough match ahead as he takes on the legendary Ma Long, who is also the reigning world champion.

Veteran Indian table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal overcame a sluggish start to beat Portugal's Tiago Polonia in the second round to set up a clash with defending champion Ma Long in the Olympics, on Monday (July 26). The 39-year-old Sharath struggled in the first game but pulled himself up just in time to win 2-11, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 in the 49-minute second-round contest. The Indian paddler now has a tough match ahead as he takes on the legendary Long, who is also the reigning world champion. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Long has won every singles title in the sport. The veteran @sharathkamal1 does it in style as he moves to the Round 3 of the #TableTennis Men's Singles Event. Sharath won 4 games to 2 against Portugal's Apolonia.#Tokyo2020#Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/n7FFOALR7M