The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships 2025 have kicked off with high stakes, fierce rallies, and a determined Indian squad looking to make a strong mark on the global stage. Manika Batra Wins round 1
Held in an electric atmosphere, the early rounds of the championship have already delivered a mix of joy, heartbreak, and glimpses of promise for Indian fans.
While much of the pre-tournament spotlight was on the experienced campaigners like G. Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai, it was India’s women’s singles spearhead Manika Batra who stood out with an emphatic performance in the Round of 128, asserting her credentials as India’s top medal contender.
Manika Batra – The Flagbearer India Needed
In a field stacked with elite talent from China, Japan, and Europe, Manika Batra remains India’s biggest hope in the women’s singles category. The 28-year-old paddler, currently at the peak of her game, looked in total control as she dispatched Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello in straight sets — 11-5, 11-6, 11-8, 11-2.
What stood out in Manika’s performance was not just the margin of victory, but the ease with which she dictated the pace of the match. Her aggressive backhand blocks, seamless transitions, and clever placement left Bello chasing shadows for most of the match.
Notably, Manika’s return of serve was razor-sharp, consistently placing pressure on Bello right from the first ball.
This commanding victory sets her up nicely for the tougher battles ahead. In the current draw, Manika could face higher-ranked opponents in the upcoming rounds, but the way she handled her first match suggests that she’s ready for the challenge.
Manika has consistently made strides at major international events over the last few years. With her Tokyo Olympics heroics still fresh in the memory of Indian fans, she will be eager to push further this time and attempt a deep run into the tournament — something no Indian woman has achieved at the Worlds in recent memory.
Men’s Singles: Manav Thakkar Keeps India Alive
While Manika stole the show in the women’s draw, Manav Thakkar ensured India’s men’s singles campaign is still alive. The former world no. 1 junior displayed nerves of steel to edge out Timothy Choi in a tightly-contested five-setter.
After a strong start with wins in the first two games (11-3, 11-8), Manav dropped the third game but recovered quickly to win the fourth. The fifth game was a thriller, which the Indian clinched 14-12 after saving multiple game points.
This win marks an important personal milestone for Manav, who has been knocking on the door at the senior level for a while now. The former Youth Olympic bronze medallist is looking to cement his place as one of India’s primary singles players, and this gritty victory will go a long way in boosting his confidence heading into the Round of 64.
Close Defeats That Hurt India’s Chances
Unfortunately, not all Indians were able to progress. Young paddler Ankur Bhattacharjee fought valiantly against Lam Siu Hang from Hong Kong but went down in five games. The final scoreline — 11-4, 7-11, 9-11, 10-12, 8-11 — doesn’t tell the whole story of how tight and competitive the match was.
Ankur showed glimpses of brilliance, especially in the opening game, but couldn’t maintain the tempo against the experienced Lam.
In the women’s singles, Yashaswini Ghorpade faced a challenging draw against France’s Yuan Jia Nan. Yashaswini fought hard, taking one game off the Frenchwoman and pushing the others close. However, she eventually succumbed 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 8-11 in a match where experience made the difference.
Mixed Doubles: A Ray of Hope
One of India’s brightest moments came in the mixed doubles Round of 64, where the pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale stormed past the Algerian duo of Bouloussa/Nasri with a dominant 11-2, 11-7, 11-6 win.
The Indian pair showed strong chemistry on the court, mixing Diya’s nimble movements with Manush’s power play. Their sharp attacking strokes and superior coordination made the match look one-sided.
However, the other Indian mixed doubles pair of Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade suffered a heartbreaking defeat. After going two sets up against the French duo Poret and Hochart, they lost momentum and eventually went down 11-8, 11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 10-12.
The loss will sting, especially given their excellent start and the potential to close out the match in three.
Men’s Doubles: Margins That Matter
In men’s doubles, Sathiyan and Harmeet took on Moldova’s Klodziejczyk/Ursu in a thriller that went to the wire. Despite having chances in every game, the Indian duo lost in four tightly contested sets: 9-11, 12-10, 14-16, 10-12.
This match highlighted how crucial clutch play and composure are at the elite level — small errors at big moments cost India dearly here.
While India has seen mixed results in the opening rounds, the focus now shifts to players who are still in the hunt.
Manika Batra’s form will be crucial — if she can maintain this level, India could have its first deep run in the women’s singles in decades. Similarly, Manav Thakkar and the pair of Manush/Diya offer hopes in their respective categories.
As the tournament progresses, Indian fans will be hoping for consistency and composure from their stars. With strong support, strategic preparation, and fearless execution, this team still has the potential to deliver memorable performances.
