Bhavinaben Patel on Friday scripted history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to secure a medal in the Paralympics after she entered the semi-finals with a stunning straight-game win over the Rio 2016 Paralympics champion Borislava Peric-Rankovic of Serbia in the women's singles Class 4 event.

The 34-year-old player beat her Serbian opponent 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 in a quarterfinal match that lasted 18 minutes. She will take on Zhang Miao of China in the semi-finals on Saturday, but she is guaranteed at least a bronze. She beat Joyce de Oliveira of Brazil 12-10, 13-11, 11-6 in Round of 16 to become the first Indian table tennis player to reach the quarterfinals at the Paralympics.

"I could win my semifinal match due to the support of the people of India. Please keep supporting me so that I can win my semifinal match," Bhavinaben Patel said after the quarterfinal match. Paralympic Committee president Deepa Malik said " It is sure that we can see a medal from her. Tomorrow morning's match (semifinal) is a huge decider what colour of the medal she will win."

It is also notable that she entered the knockout round after winning a match and losing the other group game.

#IND Bhavina Patel's dream run continues! ?? One win away from her GOLD medal. India is proud of you ????#Paralympics #Praise4Para

pic.twitter.com/7LT6eivJQ6

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) August 28, 2021