India’s ace paddler Manika Batra pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 season, defeating World No. 12 Shi Xunyao of China in a thrilling Round of 16 clash at the WTT Star Contender London.
With the 3–1 (11–6, 11–4, 8–11, 11–9) win, Manika stormed into the quarterfinals, reigniting hopes of a deep run on the international circuit. The match was played in front of a packed London crowd, and every rally drew roars of appreciation. From the opening game, Manika looked sharp, playing with composure and confidence against a top-15 opponent who is known for her precision and tempo-based game.
Manika began the match with her trademark composure, mixing deep forehand topspins with quick backhand flicks to unsettle Shi. The first game saw Manika dictate the pace, using sharp placement and tactical serves to draw errors from the Chinese paddler. She took the opener 11–6, immediately putting pressure on her higher-ranked opponent. The second game was even more dominant. Shi struggled to find rhythm against Manika’s unpredictable returns, and the Indian star capitalized fully.
Her heavy backspin and quick transitions forced multiple netted errors from Shi, and Manika ran away with the game 11–4 to take a 2–0 lead much to the delight of the Indian supporters in attendance.
Shi Fights Back, But Manika Holds Nerve
Shi Xunyao, known for her strong mid-distance rallies, found her footing in the third game. She began using wider angles and faster exchanges, testing Manika’s defense and earning an 11–8 win to claw one game back. For a brief moment, momentum seemed to shift towards the Chinese camp.
But in the fourth game, with the stadium echoing with chants of “India! India!”, Manika regained control. Her deceptive serves and perfectly timed forehand loops returned to the fore. Every point was contested fiercely, and the crowd rose with each rally. In the end, Manika sealed the game 11–9, completing a memorable 3–1 victory to advance into the quarterfinals.
The energy inside the arena was electric. Every point Manika won was met with loud cheers, and even neutral fans joined in appreciation of her fearless shot-making. “The crowd was going crazy after every point, the noise was deafening,” said a spectator present at the venue. It was one of those matches where passion met precision, and Manika, the world No. 43, looked every bit the giant-slayer she has been throughout her career.
Beating a top Chinese player is no small feat, and doing it in front of a global audience further cements her reputation as India’s table tennis torchbearer.
Manika had earlier battled past Spain’s Maria Xiao in a tense Round of 32 encounter. That match went down to the wire, with Manika eventually triumphing 3–2 (19–17, 8–11, 2–11, 11–8, 11–6) after saving multiple game points in the opening set. It was a display of grit and composure, setting the tone for her London campaign. In the men’s draw, India’s Harmeet Desai also impressed early, producing a fine straight-games win over Australia’s Hwan Bae the 11th seed — with a scoreline of 11–8, 13–11, 11–4 to reach the Round of 16.
It was a commanding performance that showcased Harmeet’s aggressive forehand play and his improving consistency against higher-ranked opponents. However, in the Round of 16, Harmeet ran into Germany’s Kay Stumper, who proved too strong on the day. The German dominated with powerful looping rallies and quick transitions, defeating Harmeet 3–0 (11–3, 11–5, 11–6). Despite the loss, Harmeet’s earlier win over Bae stands as one of his best international results of the season.
Manika’s quarterfinal match will take place later today, where she will look to continue her sensational run. With her confidence soaring and the crowd behind her, India’s top-ranked women’s player will aim to make another statement on the world stage. A win in the quarterfinal would not only boost her ranking significantly but also serve as a strong message to the global table tennis fraternity about the rise of Indian women in the sport.
The WTT Star Contender London 2025 has once again highlighted India’s growing strength in table tennis. Manika’s fearless victory over Shi Xunyao will go down as one of the standout results of the year a reminder of her ability to challenge the very best when she’s in rhythm. With Harmeet Desai showing promise despite his exit and Manika leading the way into the quarterfinals, Indian fans have every reason to be optimistic heading into the final stages of the tournament.
Score Summary:
•Manika Batra (IND) def. Shi Xunyao (CHN) 3–1 (11–6, 11–4, 8–11, 11–9)
•Harmeet Desai (IND) lost to Kay Stumper (GER) 0–3 (3–11, 5–11, 6–11)
•Manika Batra (IND) def. Maria Xiao (ESP) 3–2 (19–17, 8–11, 2–11, 11–8, 11–6)
•Harmeet Desai (IND) def. Hwan Bae (AUS) 3–0 (11–8, 13–11, 11–4)
