Indian Paddlers Battle Through Qualifiers as Final round awaits at Europe Smash Sweden 2025
The Europe Smash Sweden 2025, one of the premier events on the World Table Tennis (WTT) calendar, witnessed a determined effort from India’s rising paddlers in the qualification rounds. With several established and emerging names taking the court in Sweden, the competition proved a stern test of resilience, temperament, and tactical acumen. While some players faltered in the early stages, others showcased grit and produced memorable wins to keep India’s hopes alive for a spot in the main draw.
Early Rounds : Mixed Fortunes
India began its qualification campaign with a mix of wins and setbacks. In the men’s singles Round 1, Snehit Suravajjula faced Spain’s Daniel Berzosa. Despite fighting hard, Snehit went down 1–3, unable to convert opportunities against the composed Spaniard. For the women, however, the opening round delivered far more encouraging results.
Swastika Ghosh registered a commanding 3–0 win over Sally Moyland of the USA, demonstrating excellent control in rallies and keeping her opponent under constant pressure. Yashaswini Ghorpade followed with another straight-games victory, brushing aside Puerto Rico’s Brianna Burgos 3–0. Diya Chitale added to India’s winning run with a confident 3–1 victory over Jessica Reyes Lai of the USA, while Krittwika Roy could not overcome Taiwan’s Yeh Yi-Tian, bowing out 0–3 in a one-sided contest.
These early matches reflected India’s growing strength in women’s table tennis, with multiple players advancing together into deeper rounds of qualification.
Men’s Singles : Shah Carries the Flag
In the men’s draw, experienced campaigner Harmeet Desai faced Luxembourg’s Luka Mladenovic in a nail-biting Round 2 clash. The encounter stretched to five games, with Harmeet showing flashes of brilliance, but Luka edged him out 3–2 (9–11, 11–8, 7–11, 11–8, 9–11). The narrow loss ended Harmeet’s run, leaving India’s hopes in the men’s singles squarely on the shoulders of Manush Shah.
Manush rose to the occasion, defeating Malta’s Amirreza Abbasi 3–1 in Round 2. He displayed maturity in handling crucial points and kept control of the tempo in decisive rallies. His victory set up a much-anticipated clash with Mladenovic in the final qualification round—a rematch with the same opponent who had earlier knocked out Harmeet Desai. With Shah’s consistency and composure, India’s chances of seeing a male paddler in the main draw remained alive.
Women’s Singles : Momentum Builds
In the women’s section, Round 2 produced dramatic storylines. Swastika Ghosh, fresh from her Round 1 win, faced Taiwan’s Yeh Yi-Tian but could not maintain her rhythm. After leading 9–2 in the opening game, Swastika squandered her advantage and eventually lost 0–3, a defeat that will sting given how close she was to turning the match around.
The highlight of Round 2 came from Diya Chitale, who engaged in a thrilling five-game contest against Korea’s Heo Yerim. Displaying exceptional fighting spirit, Diya edged out her opponent 3–2 (9–11, 11–7, 11–9, 5–11, 11–9). It was a statement win against a strong East Asian challenger, showcasing Chitale’s progress and ability to handle pressure on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Yashaswini Ghorpade continued her fine run, dismantling Hong Kong’s Lam Yee Lok 3–0 to reach the final qualifying round. Ghorpade’s dominant performance underlined her consistency, as she booked a high-profile clash against Serbia’s Izabela Lupulesku for a coveted main-draw berth.
The Decisive Qualification Battles
With the dust settling from the second round, three Indian women Diya Chitale, Yashaswini Ghorpade, and the eliminated Swastika Ghosh had carried the flag impressively deep into qualification. For the men, Manush Shah was India’s sole survivor heading into the final round.
The final qualification fixtures lined up as follows:
- Yashaswini Ghorpade vs Izabela Lupulesku (Serbia)
- Manush Shah vs Luka Mladenovic (Luxembourg)
- Diya Chitale vs Annett Kaufmann (Germany)
All three matches are scheduled for the evening, with Ghorpade and Shah starting simultaneously at 9:10 PM on separate tables, and Chitale slated for a late-night battle at 11:30 PM. With three Indians in the fray, the night promised high drama for Indian fans eagerly following the live stream on the WTT YouTube channel.
The Europe Smash Sweden is one of the key competitions on the WTT calendar, drawing top international talent and offering valuable ranking points. For India’s paddlers, strong performances here are not only about immediate results but also about gaining experience against higher-ranked opponents in intense conditions.
The women’s squad, in particular, has shown depth. Wins for Diya, Yashaswini, and Swastika highlighted the next generation of Indian women’s table tennis, complementing the achievements of senior stars like Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula. The fact that multiple Indian women were competing for main-draw berths underscores the sport’s widening base in the country.
On the men’s side, while early exits for Snehit and Harmeet were disappointing, Manush Shah’s steady progress offered hope. Shah’s clash with Mladenovic carried added intrigue, given his teammate Harmeet’s narrow loss to the same opponent earlier in the tournament. A win for Shah would not only secure a place in the main draw but also serve as a symbolic redemption.
As the qualifiers reached their climax, India’s campaign at the Europe Smash Sweden 2025 encapsulated both the challenges and opportunities facing its table tennis program. The resilience of Diya Chitale, the composure of Yashaswini Ghorpade, and the determination of Manush Shah stood out, while the narrow defeats of Harmeet Desai and Swastika Ghosh served as reminders of the fine margins at this level.
Regardless of the final outcomes in the late-night qualification battles, India’s presence in Sweden demonstrated the country’s growing competitiveness on the global stage. With young paddlers gaining exposure and delivering spirited performances, Indian table tennis continues to build momentum toward a brighter future.
