WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026: Youngsters Tanishka Kalbhairav, Naisha Rewaskar Impress in Qualifying Rounds

India’s emerging table tennis talent made a strong early statement at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026, with teenagers Tanishka Kalbhairav and Naisha Rewaskar producing confident wins to reach the final qualifying round in women’s singles action on Tuesday.

The tournament, co-hosted by Ultimate Table Tennis, Sharath Kamal Academy, and Stupa Sports AI with the support of SDAT, began at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University and features an enhanced prize purse of USD 300,000. With players from across the globe in contention, India’s youngsters ensured that the home crowd had plenty to cheer about on opening day.

Thirteen-year-old Tanishka Kalbhairav delivered one of the standout performances of the day by defeating the experienced Maria Rony 3-1 (11-2, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4) in the second qualifying round. Tanishka dominated the opening game with sharp placement and aggressive returns, racing to an 11-2 lead. Although Rony responded in the second game to level the match, the Indian youngster showed composure beyond her years. She tightened her service game, reduced unforced errors, and regained control of the rallies to close out the contest in four games.

For a 13-year-old competing at a WTT Star Contender event, the victory underlined her rapid development and ability to handle pressure against senior opposition. Advancing to the final qualifying round places her just one win away from a main draw berth in one of the most competitive tournaments on the WTT circuit.

Naisha Rewaskar was equally impressive. The Mumbai-based paddler, who trains at the NSCI-UTT Academy, secured a straight-games win over wildcard entrant Palak Ghia, triumphing 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-6). Naisha controlled proceedings from the outset, using consistent backhand exchanges and precise placement to dictate the tempo.

Her serve variation proved particularly effective, allowing her to gain early advantage in rallies. Even when Ghia attempted to mount a comeback in the second game, Naisha remained composed and closed out key points to maintain her momentum. The clinical performance reflected growing maturity and confidence at the international level.

Earlier in the day, Gungun Sahu added to India’s strong showing in the women’s draw with a 3-1 (12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10) upset over higher-ranked Hardee Patel. The closely fought encounter saw two games decided by the narrowest of margins. Sahu held her nerve in crucial moments, particularly at deuce in the first and fourth games, where her ability to stay patient under pressure made the difference. Her win ensured a third Indian presence in the final qualifying round of the women’s singles.

The men’s singles qualifiers also witnessed encouraging performances from the home contingent. Umesh Kumar staged a spirited comeback against Nepal’s Rajiv Chikanbanjar. After dropping the opening game 6-11, Kumar recalibrated his strategy, focusing on controlled aggression and tighter returns to win the next three games 11-3, 11-5, 11-8. His turnaround demonstrated resilience and tactical adjustment, key qualities in high-stakes qualification matches.

Wildcard entrants Punit Biswas and Balamurgan Rajasekaran also progressed to the final qualifying round. Biswas defeated compatriot Arjav Gupta 3-1 (11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8), maintaining consistency across long rallies and closing the match with authority in the fourth game. Balamurgan delivered a straight-games victory over Neil Mulye, winning 3-0 (11-5, 13-11, 11-9). The tight second and third games tested his composure, but he responded with measured shot selection and disciplined defence.

The qualification action will continue on Wednesday morning, headlined by a key men’s singles clash between top-ranked qualifier Ankur Bhattacharjee and Korea Republic’s Oh Seunghwan. The Korean advanced with a comfortable straight-games win over Rajesh Ramanathan in the first qualifying round and is expected to provide a stern test.

Another intriguing fixture will see wildcard Shivjit Lamba face Italy’s Carlo Rossi in the men’s singles second qualifying round. With limited margin for error at this stage of the competition, each match carries significant weight as players vie for coveted main draw positions.

The opening day of the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 has already highlighted the depth and promise within Indian table tennis. The confident performances from Tanishka, Naisha, and their compatriots suggest a generation unafraid to compete against experienced international opposition.

As the tournament progresses toward the main draw, the spotlight will remain firmly on these rising stars. For now, Chennai has witnessed a glimpse of India’s future in table tennis youthful, fearless, and ready to challenge on the global stage.