In yet another display of fearless, high-quality table tennis, India’s Sreeja Akula has stormed into the final of the WTT Contender Lagos 2025 marking her second consecutive final at this event and the fourth WTT singles final of her career.
Unseeded and ranked World No. 57, Sreeja defeated 4th seed and World No. 27 Prithika Pavade of France in a gripping five-game semifinal: 11-7, 11-4, 11-13, 6-11, 11-9. This win underlines both her rising status in the global table tennis circuit and her ability to dig deep under pressure.
A Stunning Run in Lagos: Top Seeds Fall One by One
Sreeja’s path to the final this year has been nothing short of spectacular. Coming into the event as an underdog, she faced some of the world’s best and emerged victorious each time.
Round of 32: Sreeja stunned top seed and World No. 11 Hina Hayata of Japan in straight games (3-0). It was a win that set the tone for her campaign, shaking up the draw and grabbing international attention.
Quarterfinals: Next, she brushed aside 7th seed and World No. 54 Jieni Shao of Portugal with another dominant 3-0 victory, showing both precision and composure.
Semifinals: In what turned out to be the toughest test yet, Sreeja faced 4th seed Pavade, a crafty and aggressive player. After racing to a 2-0 lead, Sreeja was pushed into a decider as Pavade clawed back the next two games. But the Indian star kept her nerve, closing out the match 11-9 in the fifth.
This run is a testament to her tactical maturity and relentless fighting spirit. Across these matches, Sreeja has shown a mix of fearless attacking, smart variation in serves, and impressive mental strength.
A Rivalry Renewed in the Final
Sreeja’s reward is a place in the title match against second seed Honoka Hashimoto of Japan a defensive master and World No. 32. Significantly, Hashimoto defeated Sreeja just a couple of weeks ago, setting up an intriguing rematch.
The final is scheduled for 8 pm (IST) and will be streamed live on the WTT YouTube Channel. For Sreeja, this is a chance to not only defend her title but also avenge that recent defeat.
Why This Matters: Beyond Rankings and Numbers
At 26, Sreeja Akula has grown into a player capable of big-stage performances, and this Lagos campaign reflects more than just good form. Here’s why this final is significant:
Consistency on the WTT Tour: This is Sreeja’s second straight final in Lagos, showing that last year’s title win wasn’t a one-off. It points to her evolution from a promising player to a consistent threat at the Challenger and Contender level.
Wins Against Top Players: Victories over top seed Hayata and 4th seed Pavade both ranked much higher signal her ability to step up against elite opponents, a quality every top-50 player needs.
Composure Under Pressure: After letting a 2-0 lead slip in the semifinals, Sreeja showed mental strength to recover and win the decider the kind of resilience that separates champions from challengers.
Inspiration for Indian Table Tennis: With Manika Batra leading the rankings, Sreeja’s surge adds depth to India’s women’s circuit, inspiring younger players to aim higher.
Sreeja’s Journey: Steady Climb to the Top
Hailing from Hyderabad, Sreeja Akula’s story is built on steady progress. From domestic dominance to winning gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022 mixed team event, she has steadily worked her way up the ranks.
In 2023 and early 2024, Sreeja tasted mixed results internationally. But the past year has seen a marked improvement in her tactical game, self-belief, and consistency, translating into stronger performances on the WTT Tour.
The fact that Lagos marks her fourth WTT final in singles shows her growing stature and this week, she’s proved she belongs among the sport’s next tier of contenders.
A final against Hashimoto will not be easy. The Japanese player’s defensive style can disrupt rhythm, forcing opponents to adapt. But Sreeja’s attacking game, especially her forehand flicks and quick counters, can be effective against defense-heavy opponents.
If Sreeja maintains her sharpness on serve and stays patient during longer rallies, she has every chance to lift the title for the second year in a row.
Win or lose, this campaign cements Sreeja’s place as one of India’s strongest singles players on the international stage.
Sreeja Akula’s run to the WTT Contender Lagos 2025 final is a milestone not just for her personally, but for Indian table tennis. It’s a sign of depth, belief, and a player who now sees herself among the world’s best, not as an outsider but as a contender.
Tonight, as she steps onto the court, it’s more than a match: it’s a statement that Indian table tennis is ready to dream bigger.
All eyes on Lagos go for the 🏆, Sreeja! 🇮🇳🔥
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