The opening day of the main draw at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 delivered high drama, contrasting fortunes and strong Indian representation across categories.
While the French contingent endured mixed results in the men’s singles draw, India’s leading mixed doubles pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale staged a gripping comeback to reach the quarter-finals, and young Ankur Bhattacharjee continued his impressive run.
French Campaign Sees Mixed Start in Men’s Singles
In the men’s singles Round of 32, it was a challenging day for France overall.
Remi Bételu went down 1–3 to Portugal’s Joao Geraldo, struggling to impose himself against the experienced Portuguese campaigner. Florian Bourrassaud also suffered a 1–3 defeat, this time at the hands of India’s Ankur Bhattacharjee, who controlled key phases of the match with aggressive forehand play and superior placement.
Bourrassaud was competitive in patches but could not sustain momentum as Ankur closed out the contest 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9 to advance.
The lone bright spot for the French side came through Esteban Dorr, who edged Kazakhstan’s Iskender Kharki in a tightly contested five-game encounter. Dorr held his nerve in the decider to secure a 3–2 victory and move into the next round, keeping French hopes alive in the singles draw.
Manush–Diya Show Nerve in Mixed Doubles Thriller
The spotlight, however, belonged to India’s top mixed doubles combination, Manush Shah and Diya Chitale. Entering the tournament as one of the leading pairs and fresh off recent strong performances on the WTT circuit, the duo faced a stern test against Korea’s Park and Kim.
The match turned into a five-game battle, with the Indian pair pushed to the brink. Korea’s disciplined placement and quick transitions disrupted India’s rhythm early on, forcing Manush and Diya to adapt tactically.
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Trailing and under pressure, the Indians showed composure in crucial exchanges. Their serve-receive combinations improved in the latter stages, and Diya’s sharp angles across the table created openings for Manush to finish points decisively.
In the deciding game, the pair demonstrated mental resilience, holding their nerve in extended rallies to clinch the match 3–2 and seal a quarter-final berth. The comeback was a testament to their growing maturity as a partnership calm under pressure and capable of executing high-percentage shots in decisive moments.
The victory ensures India maintains strong representation in the mixed doubles draw, where expectations remain high.
Ankur Bhattacharjee’s Breakthrough Run Continues
Among the standout Indian performers of the day was Ankur Bhattacharjee. The young talent has enjoyed a remarkable run in Chennai, beginning with a dominant qualifying campaign.
As the top seed in qualifying, Ankur progressed to the main draw after a confident win over Korea’s Oh Seunghwan. Carrying that momentum forward, he delivered a composed performance against Florian Bourrassaud in the Round of 32. His 3–1 victory showcased both attacking intent and tactical awareness. After racing through the first two games 11-5 and 11-8, Ankur briefly lost rhythm in the third before recalibrating his approach to close out the fourth 11-9.
The win underlined his steady rise on the international stage and added another Indian name into the next round of competition.
Beyond Ankur’s success, India had further reasons to celebrate. Snehit Suravajjula and Harmeet Desai also progressed in the men’s singles category, ensuring strong home representation as the tournament moves deeper into its main draw.
For the hosts, the first day of main draw action was marked by resilience, breakthrough performances and growing belief. While the French squad experienced a mixed start, India’s combination of experienced campaigners and emerging players delivered results across formats.
With the mixed doubles quarter-finals secured and multiple singles players advancing, the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 is shaping into a compelling chapter for Indian table tennis one defined by composure under pressure and the emergence of new contenders on home soil.
