Indian table tennis registered a landmark moment on the global stage as the men’s doubles pairing of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah became the first Indian player or pair to reach the semifinals of a WTT Singapore Smash 2026.
The sixth-seeded Indian duo delivered a composed and tactically disciplined performance to defeat Belgium’s Martin Allegro and Adrien Rassenfosse in straight games in the quarterfinals of the WTT Singapore Smash 2026.
The Indian pair secured a 3-0 victory (11-8, 11-9, 11-9) to book their place in the last four, achieving what no Indian paddler had previously managed at one of the most prestigious events on the World Table Tennis calendar.
Breaking New Ground
WTT Smash tournaments represent the highest tier of professional table tennis competition outside the Olympic Games and World Championships, attracting elite participation from the world’s top-ranked players and doubles combinations. For Indian men’s doubles to progress to the semifinal stage at this level marks a significant milestone in the country’s progression within the global hierarchy of the sport.
Manav and Manush entered the quarterfinal clash against the Belgian combination knowing they were up against opponents who had already made headlines earlier in the tournament. Allegro and Rassenfosse had stunned the top-seeded South Korean duo of Lim Jonghoon and An Jaehyun in a previous round, establishing themselves as one of the tournament’s most dangerous unseeded pairs.
However, the Indian duo responded with a display that combined consistency in rally exchanges with precise shot placement during crucial phases of each game.
Clinical Execution Under Pressure
The opening game saw both pairs trade points in a tightly contested start before Manav and Manush established control through strong receive patterns and effective third-ball attacks to close it out 11-8.
The second game followed a similar trajectory, with the Belgians attempting to disrupt the Indians’ rhythm through aggressive net play. Yet, Manav and Manush maintained composure during the mid-game phase, capitalising on key service points to edge ahead and seal the game 11-9.
In the third game, the Belgians mounted a late challenge, levelling proceedings at 9-9 after trailing for much of the set. At this critical juncture, the Indian pair opted for a timeout to reset their tactical approach. The brief interruption proved decisive, as they returned to win the next two points and complete the straight-games victory, thereby confirming their progression to the semifinals.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
The ability to close out tight end-game situations underlined the growing maturity of the partnership, particularly in high-stakes knockout matches at elite international events.
Semifinal Showdown Awaits
With the quarterfinal win, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah now advance to face the formidable French pairing of Alexis and Félix Lebrun in the semifinals. The Lebrun brothers are among the most consistent doubles teams on the professional circuit, presenting a significant challenge for the Indian pair in their pursuit of a place in the final.
Nevertheless, reaching the semifinal stage has already ensured a historic breakthrough for Indian table tennis at the WTT Smash level.
Indian paddlers have consistently improved their presence in international competitions across singles and doubles disciplines over recent years. However, progression into the business end of top-tier WTT events has remained limited.
The achievement of Manav and Manush at the Singapore Smash signals a tangible step forward in bridging that gap, particularly in the doubles format where tactical coordination and match awareness often play a decisive role against higher-ranked opposition.
As they prepare for their semifinal encounter, the Indian duo carry not only their own ambitions but also the significance of having already set a new benchmark for Indian representation at one of table tennis’ premier global competitions.
