Farida Badawy, a relatively unknown player from Egypt, made waves at the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos tournament.
Despite her low world ranking (331), the 20-year-old displayed exceptional skill and determination.
In a thrilling match, Badawy faced off against Manika Batra, the 28th-ranked player from India. The encounter was intense, with Badawy taking an early 2-0 lead. Batra fought back to level the score at 2-2, setting the stage for a decisive fifth game.
At 5-1 down in the final game, Badawy refused to give up. Composed under pressure, she clawed her way back to 5-5. The unheralded Egyptian then surged ahead, leading 8-5. Batra mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 10-8, but an unforced error cost her the match. Badawy secured a thrilling 3-2 victory (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8), marking the biggest win of her career in international tournaments.
Badawy expressed her joy at competing against Manika Batra and her determination to perform well in future matches. The Lagos fans rallied behind her, providing unwavering support throughout the game.
Badawy’s triumph is a testament to her resilience and talent, and it’s clear that she has a bright future ahead in the world of table tennis.