Manika, who created history by becoming the first Indian paddler to reach the round of 16 in the Olympics, put up a strong fight against the Japanese player.
The air was thick with suspense as the scores swung back and forth. Manika's historic journey, marked by triumphs over higher-ranked opponents like France's Prithika Pavade and Great Britain's Anna Hursey in the earlier rounds, had raised the expectations back home of a spectacular show.
Hirano, however, started in style, clinching the first two games, 11-6 and 11-9**, but Manika tried to claw back,snatching the third game 12-14. The fourth game saw a tense battle, but in the end Hirano won 11-8, before claiming the next game 11-6 to seal the deal.
On the other side of the net, Hirano marched on, her eyes set on the ultimate prize. Having already clinched a silver medal at the Summer Games and two silvers at the Youth Olympics, she moved one step closer to adding another accolade to her impressive collection.
