It was a day of mixed fortunes for Indian table tennis at the prestigious Europe Smash 2025, but the standout performance came from the mixed doubles pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale, who stormed into the quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory in the Round of 16.
The duo, seeded sixth in the competition, lived up to their billing with a spirited win over Singapore’s Zeng Jian and Pang Koen, prevailing 3-1 (11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10). Their performance was a combination of sharp rallies, disciplined placements, and nerves of steel when it mattered most.
The defining moment came in the fourth set. Having already dropped the third game 8-11, the Indians found themselves trailing 6-10 in the fourth, staring at the prospect of being dragged into a tense decider. But Shah and Chitale showed remarkable composure. From 6-10, they strung together six straight points, saving four game points in the process, and closed out the match 12-10. The turnaround not only sealed the match but also highlighted their ability to stay calm under pressure a quality that could take them far in the competition.
With this victory, the pair has now secured a place in the quarterfinals, where they will look to extend their run in a tournament that has already seen several Indian players put up promising performances.
Diya Chitale’s Double Success
It was also a strong day for Diya Chitale in women’s doubles. Partnering Yashaswini Ghorpade, the Indian pair stunned the experienced Egyptian duo of Hana Goda and Dina Meshref, both of whom are seasoned international names. The Indians, however, showed no signs of intimidation, cruising to a commanding 3-0 win (11-6, 11-7, 11-5). From the very first game, Chitale and Ghorpade controlled the tempo, using attacking returns and clever placements to keep the Egyptians on the defensive.
With this win, they progressed to the Round of 16, where they will face Germany’s Wan Yuan and Sabine Winter, another experienced pair. While this will be a tougher challenge, the form shown against Goda and Meshref suggests that the young Indians are ready to take on the continent’s best. For Chitale, who is balancing her campaign in both mixed and women’s doubles, this dual success underlines her growing importance in India’s doubles setup.
Sreeja Akula’s Exit
On the flip side, India’s singles challenge in the women’s section came to an end as Sreeja Akula bowed out in the Round of 32. Facing World No. 7 Zhu Yuling of Macau, Akula fought hard but went down 1-3 (9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 2-11).
Akula showed glimpses of her attacking ability, particularly in the third game, which she won 11-6 to pull one back. However, Zhu’s superior consistency and ability to dictate long rallies proved decisive. The final game was one-sided, with Zhu racing away to a 11-2 win to seal the contest. For Akula, the result marked the end of her singles campaign at Europe Smash, but the experience of competing against a top-10 player will be invaluable as she continues her rise on the international circuit.
India’s Campaign So Far
The Europe Smash is one of the flagship events on the World Table Tennis (WTT) circuit, attracting the very best from across the globe. For India, the tournament has already showcased the depth of its doubles talent, with Chitale featuring in two strong campaigns.
The standout, however, remains the mixed doubles win of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale, who are carrying India’s hopes deeper into the tournament. Their ability to combine Shah’s left-handed angles with Chitale’s aggressive forehand makes them a formidable pairing. While singles exits like Akula’s are reminders of the challenges Indian players still face against the world’s elite, the doubles performances hint at an evolving strength one that could see India making deeper runs in major international tournaments.
Looking forward, all eyes will be on Shah and Chitale in the quarterfinals. Their tactical flexibility and mental resilience will be key as they step into the business end of the tournament. For Chitale and Ghorpade, the women’s doubles Round of 16 against Wan Yuan and Sabine Winter presents both an opportunity and a test. With the singles challenge over in Women Singles, India’s fortunes in Sweden now rest squarely on the doubles specialists & Manav in Men Singles. If Shah, Chitale, and Ghorpade can continue their current momentum, India could yet end the tournament with breakthrough performances.
Day 2 at Europe Smash 2025 was a reminder of India’s shifting table tennis landscape. While singles players like Sreeja Akula continue to push boundaries but face stiff resistance against world top-10 opponents, the doubles teams especially Manush Shah and Diya Chitale are emerging as genuine contenders on the global stage.
Their gritty fightback in the mixed doubles Round of 16 not only earned them a quarterfinal berth but also underscored the growing maturity and self-belief in Indian table tennis. As the tournament progresses, Indian fans will be hoping that this duo can carry the baton forward and make a statement on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
