Indian table tennis took a giant leap forward as Manav Thakkar became the first Indian male player to reach the semifinals of a WTT Star Contender event.
Competing in front of a passionate home crowd at WTT Star Contender Chennai, Thakkar’s dream run finally came to an end in the semifinals, where he lost 1-3 to World No. 54 Thibault Poret (France) in a hard-fought battle.
Despite the loss, this performance marks a defining moment for Indian table tennis, showcasing Thakkar’s immense potential on the global stage.
A Historic Campaign for Manav Thakkar
Thakkar’s journey to the semifinals was nothing short of spectacular. The 24-year-old paddler displayed exceptional resilience and skill, taking down some of the best players in the world. His quarterfinal victory over Olympic and World Championship medalist Lim Jonghoon was a major highlight of the tournament.
🔥 Quarterfinal Victory – Manav Thakkar def. Lim Jonghoon (Korea) 3-2 (5-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-1)
After losing two tight games and trailing in the fourth set, Thakkar turned the match around in stunning fashion, winning 17 consecutive points to demolish Lim in the final game 11-1. This win secured his place in history as the first-ever Indian to reach a WTT Star Contender semifinal.
However, the semifinal match against Thibault Poret proved to be a challenge. The Frenchman overpowered Thakkar with his aggressive play, closing out the match in four games.
⚔️ Semifinal Result – Thibault Poret (France) def. Manav Thakkar (India) 3-1 (12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7)
Although Thakkar put up a fight, narrowly losing the first two games, he was unable to force a decider. Nevertheless, his performance has set new benchmarks for Indian table tennis.
Breaking Barriers: What This Means for Indian Table Tennis
Manav Thakkar’s deep run at WTT Star Contender Chennai is a testament to India’s growing stature in world table tennis. The first-ever semifinal appearance by an Indian player at this level shows that Indian paddlers are now capable of competing against the world’s best.
🔹 First Indian male player to reach a WTT Star Contender semifinal
🔹 Defeated Olympic and World Championship medalist Lim Jonghoon
🔹 Set to break into the ATP Top-50 rankings for the first time
Thakkar’s achievement adds to a successful tournament for Indian paddlers, with multiple players reaching the knockout rounds:
✅ Men’s Doubles SF: Snehit & Sharath Kamal
✅ Mixed Doubles SF: Manush & Diya
✅ Men’s Singles QF: Snehit Suravajjula
The performances of Manav Thakkar and Snehit Suravajjula in the men’s singles draw underline India’s emerging young talent, and this tournament will give them the confidence to perform on bigger stages.
What’s Next for Manav Thakkar?
With this historic run, Thakkar is set for a new career-high ranking and is expected to break into the ATP Top-50 for the first time. At just 24 years old, he has plenty of room to grow and improve.
If Thakkar continues this momentum, he could soon challenge for titles at WTT Contender and Star Contender events and even make an impact on the WTT Champions Tour. His playing style, composed under pressure, and his ability to defeat higher-ranked opponents make him a strong contender for India’s future at major tournaments like the World Championships and the Olympics.
Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Table Tennis?
Manav Thakkar’s WTT Star Contender Chennai performance has opened the doors for Indian table tennis on the world stage. His achievement proves that India is no longer just a participant but a serious competitor in international table tennis.
With more young paddlers like Snehit Suravajjula, Manush Shah, and Payas Jain rising through the ranks, the future looks bright. Thakkar’s historic semifinal appearance might just be the beginning of a new golden era for Indian table tennis.
Onwards and upwards! 🇮🇳🏓🔥
