The Indian table tennis contingent began their campaign at the WTT Contender Lagos 2025 in Nigeria with a mix of clinical wins, tactical maturity, and a headline-making upset that turned heads across the tournament.
From experienced names like Sathiyan Gnanasekaran guiding the men’s challenge to young stars stepping up, and defending champions marching on in mixed doubles, India’s paddlers showed why they remain a force on the WTT circuit.
One of the most electrifying moments of the opening rounds came when defending champion Sreeja Akula stunned World No.11 and top seed Hina Hayata of Japan with a commanding 3-0 victory (11-7, 11-8, 11-3).
It wasn’t just the result; it was the manner of her win that made the difference. Sreeja, known for her aggressive forehand topspins and fearless approach, controlled the pace from the very first point.
Her returns were crisp, her placements precise, and her ability to draw mistakes from the Japanese star made it one of the biggest upsets of the competition so far. The victory takes her into the Round of 16 and boosts her confidence for a potential deep run, perhaps even a repeat title in Lagos.
Men’s Singles: Solid Start with Youth and Experience
In the men’s singles draw, India saw two of its players make solid starts in the Round of 32. Akash Pal, displaying confidence and rhythm, swept aside Nigeria’s O. Omatoyo 3-0 in a match where his attacking strokes and sharp movement gave little chance to the local favourite. His dominance on serve and quick counter-attacks ensured the contest never really opened up.
Joining him in the Round of 16 was seasoned campaigner Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, who faced an all-Indian clash against youngster Arnav Karnavar. After conceding the second game, Sathiyan recovered quickly to win 3-1, showing why experience still matters on the big stage. His tactical reading, use of angles, and calm under pressure made the difference, keeping India’s hopes alive on two fronts in men’s singles.
Doubles: Quarterfinals Beckon as Indian Pairs Impress
India’s challenge in doubles has grown stronger in recent months, and that form was visible in Lagos too. In men’s doubles, two Indian pairs booked their places in the quarterfinals with composed performances:
- The pairing of Anirban Ghosh / Mudit Dani overcame a mixed India-Mexico pair 3-1. Their ability to combine sharp counter-attacks with tight service returns proved too good for their opponents.
- Meanwhile, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran / Akash Pal defeated their Nigerian rivals 3-1, using the advantage of a left-right combination to open the table and dominate rallies.
In women’s doubles, the Indian pair of Krittwika Sinha Roy / Poymantee Baisya produced a clinical display, beating their Nigerian opponents 3-0. Their aggressive net play, quick transitions, and ability to close points at the first opportunity underlined India’s growing depth in women’s doubles.
Mixed Doubles: Defending Champions Stay on Track
Mixed doubles provided further reasons to cheer for Indian fans. Defending champions Akash Pal / Poymantee Baisya showcased their synergy and confidence, sweeping aside Turkey’s Altinkaya and the Netherlands’ Chambet-Weil 3-0. Their energy, sharp placements, and near-perfect coordination left the opponents struggling to keep up.
The second Indian pair, Anirban Ghosh / Krittwika Sinha Roy, ensured it wasn’t just about one team. They overcame compatriots Mudit Dani / Taneesha Kotecha 3-0 in an all-Indian quarterfinal. Anirban’s aggressive setups and Krittwika’s finishing touch proved decisive, moving them into the semifinals.
With both pairs in the semifinals, the tournament could see an all-India final in mixed doubles a result that would underline India’s emerging strength in this format.
Looking Ahead: High Hopes After Early Wins
The start at the WTT Contender Lagos 2025 has laid a promising platform for Indian paddlers. Highlights so far include:
Sreeja Akula’s stunning upset over top seed Hina Hayata sending a message that she’s ready to defend her title.
The steady progress of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, whose experience keeps the men’s singles challenge balanced.
The defending champions Akash/Poymantee staying on course in mixed doubles.
Emerging pairs like Anirban/Krittwika showing that India’s bench strength is improving, not just relying on familiar names.
The next stages will test the Indian contingent further as they face stronger opponents and the pressure of knockout rounds. But the mix of youthful energy, experienced leadership, and fearless play shown so far suggests this campaign could deliver podium finishes.
Indian fans back home and in Lagos will watch closely to see if Sreeja’s fairytale run continues, if Akash and Sathiyan can turn solid starts into medals, and if the doubles pairs can convert promise into titles.
For now, India’s start in Lagos is a reminder that while rankings matter, belief and form on the day can rewrite scripts and India’s paddlers have come to compete, not just participate. 🇮🇳🏓✨
