The WTT Singapore Smash 2025, scheduled from January 30 to February 9 at the Singapore Sports Hub, promises to be a significant event for Indian tabletennis enthusiasts.
The tournament will feature eleven days of high-octane action, with the main draw commencing on February 2. The event will serve as a proving ground for India’s top paddlers against some of the world’s finest.
A Stacked Qualifying Draw
The qualifying draw in the Men’s Singles (MS) features a talented mix of players looking to break into the main draw.
Manav Thakkar, Harmeet Desai, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Manush Shah, and Snehit Suravajjula will battle it out in intense rounds to earn their spot in the tournament proper.
Each of these players has shown immense potential on the international circuit, and a successful run in Singapore could provide a significant boost to their rankings and confidence.
On the Women’s Singles (WS) front, India’s presence is equally strong. Ayhika Mukherjee, Sutirtha Mukherjee, Yashaswini Ghorpade, and Diya Chitale are set to compete in the qualifiers. Ayhika and Sutirtha, having previously shown their prowess in doubles, will be aiming to translate their chemistry into individual brilliance, while young talents like Yashaswini and Diya will look to make a breakthrough performance.
Day 1: Mixed Results for India
The opening day of qualifiers saw some intense battles for the Indian contingent. Manav Thakkar kicked off his campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Daniel Gonzalez, showcasing his aggressive play and sharp reflexes.
Meanwhile, Manush Shah, arriving in Singapore in promising form after a quarterfinal finish at WTT Contender Muscat 2025, started his campaign on the front foot. Facing off against experienced defender Yang Wang , Shah displayed remarkable resilience in his opening match.
Trailing 4-9 in the first game, he mounted a spirited comeback, saving a game point at 9-10 before clinching the crucial opener.
That momentum carried forward as he secured a 3-1 victory, booking his spot in the next round.
However, not all Indians had a winning start. Snehit Suravajjula fought hard but fell to Martin Allegro 1-3 in a tough contest.
Similarly, Harmeet Desai, despite his best efforts, lost 1-3 to Liao Cheng-Ting, missing out on an early qualification opportunity.
In the all-Indian clash between Sutirtha Mukherjee and Diya Chitale, it was Diya who emerged victorious in a closely fought five-game thriller, winning 3-2 and progressing to the next round.
Day 2 and Beyond: Key Matches to Watch
The qualifiers continue with more Indian paddlers in action. On January 31, Indian fans can look forward to the following key matches:
Session 1: Yashaswini Ghorpade vs Zhang Wanling (T2, 8:30AM) –
Ayhika Mukherjee vs Arantxa Cossio (T4, 9:40 AM, estimated) –
Sathiyan Gnanasekaran vs Alberto Mino (T4, 11:25 AM, estimated)
Session 2: Manush Shah vs Tiago Apolonia (T3, 4:40 PM,estimated)
Manav Thakkar vs Jinbao Ma (T3, 5:50 PM, estimated)
Additionally, on February 1, Diya Chitale will take on Sally Moyland (T4, 10:05 AM, estimated) in another crucial qualifying round match.
A Strong Main Draw Presence
India already has representation in the main draw, led by legendary paddler Sharath Kamal, who will bring his experience and grit to the tournament.
Alongside him, the women’s singles draw will see Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra competing directly, both of whom have proven themselves as strong contenders on the WTT circuit.
In the previous edition, veteran paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal delivered a stellar performance by reaching the quarterfinals, defeating higher-ranked opponents such as World No. 13 Darko Jorgic and World No. 22 Omar Assar.
This remarkable run propelled him from 88th to 34th in the ITTF rankings, reinstating him as India’s top-ranked player.
Manika Batra, another prominent figure in Indian table tennis, has also showcased commendable performances on the international stage. Notably, she secured a historic bronze medal at the Asian Cup 2022, defeating top-10 players Chen Xingtong and Hina Hayata.
She also made a quarterfinal appearance at the WTT Smash event in Dubai last year, proving her consistency at the highest level.
The doubles events further bolster India’s hopes. The men’s doubles pair of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah will be looking to make an impact, while the women’s doubles duo of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee are expected to be a formidable force. Additionally, Yashaswini Ghorpade partners with Minhyung Jee in an exciting Indo-Australian pairing, adding another dimension to India’s doubles campaign.
Mixed doubles will see Manush Shah and Diya Chitale teaming up, aiming to showcase their synergy and strategic play against some of the best international pairs.
India’s Expectations and Road Ahead
With a strong mix of experienced players and young talents, India enters the WTT Singapore Smash 2025 with high hopes. The competition will be fierce, but the Indian squad has the skills, determination, and momentum to go deep into the tournament.
As the qualifiers unfold, all eyes will be on India’s rising stars to see who can book a spot in the main draw and continue the fight for glory.
Stay tuned as we bring you daily updates, match results, and key highlights from Singapore Smash 2025!
