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Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian women's table tennis team has secured a historic first-ever medal at the Asian Championships by defeating the formidable South Korean team, Paris Olympics bronze medallists, in a thrilling quarterfinal. Ayhika Mukherjee, ranked 92nd in the world, emerged as the star of the match, defeating World No.8 Shin Yubin and World No.16 Jeon Jihee to lead India to a stunning victory.

Ayhika, who had previously beaten World No.1 Sun Yingsha of China earlier this year, showcased her ability to thrive under pressure once again. She was instrumental in giving India an unexpected 2-0 lead in the quarterfinal tie alongside Manika Batra. Ayhika's composed performances included a nail-biting 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7 win over the higher-ranked Shin Yubin, followed by Manika’s hard-fought victory over Jeon Jihee with scores of 12-14, 13-11, 11-5, 5-11, 12-10.

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South Korea fought back, winning the next two matches to level the tie at 2-2. India’s Sreeja Akula lost to Lee Eunhye in straight sets (6-11, 10-12, 8-11), and Yubin took down Manika in a fiercely contested 13-11, 11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 12-10 match to even the score.

In the decisive contest, Ayhika once again rose to the occasion, defeating Jihee 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 12-10 to seal the victory for India. The win not only secured India's spot in the semifinals but also assured the team of a first-ever Asian Championships medal.

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This remarkable victory marks a major milestone for Indian table tennis, as Ayhika and her teammates continue to make their mark on the international stage. The Indian men’s team is set to play their quarterfinal on Wednesday, as they look to follow in the women's footsteps.