Star Indian paddler G Sathiyan knocked out World No. 16 Marcos Freitas after a gripping battle to move to the pre-quarterfinals of the ITTF Austrian Open in Linz. Ranked 35 in the world and lone Indian in the main draw, Sathiyan had to play out of his skin to down Freitas 4-3 in the elite Platinum tournament.

The Indian lost the first game 4-11 but fought back in his usual aggressive way, winning the next games 11-9, 11-9. But the Portuguese was not ready to give up, clawing his way back into the contest by clinching the next two games 11-8, 11-6.