Day three of the second UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships at the Thyagaraj Stadium turned out to be a lively affair, balancing expected outcomes with surprise exits and nervy battles.
With the men’s, women’s, and youth main draws now underway, the competition began to reveal early signs of who might rise to the occasion and who could fall victim to the sport’s notorious unpredictability. The men’s singles event saw a major shift before play even began. Defending champion Manush Shah (RBI) was forced to withdraw, leaving Bengal’s Ankur Bhattacharjee as the new top seed. For Ankur, who had fallen in the quarterfinals of the previous event, Shah’s absence opened a clear pathway to assert himself as a frontrunner.
This reshuffle also nudged seasoned Indian international G. Sathiyan into the No. 2 spot. Sathiyan, with his pedigree and experience, remains one of the strongest contenders despite missing the top billing. Payas Jain retained his No. 3 seeding, while Vadodara runner-up Ronit Bhanja rounded out the top four.
With 256 players in the men’s singles draw, as many as 92 byes were awarded, ensuring the top 16 seeds a smooth entry into the second round. This system, while giving big names breathing space early on, also heightens pressure for lower-ranked players, who are forced into the fray from the start.
Women’s Event Highlights Depth of Field
The women’s singles section, comprising 128 players, also provided intrigue in the seeding list. Diya Chitale, riding a strong run of form, retained her status as the No. 1 seed. Close on her heels is Swastika, silver medallist in Vadodara, who has looked increasingly assured in recent months. Former national champion Sutirtha Mukherjee and the promising Yashaswini Ghorpade hold the third and fourth seedings, respectively. But perhaps the biggest talking point was Anusha Kutumbale, who, despite winning her maiden women’s singles title recently, found herself seeded only sixth.
The disparity between her recent success and her placement underlined the competitiveness of the field. With 43 byes in the women’s draw, the top 16 seeds, much like their male counterparts, were given a relaxed start. But with so many seasoned names in contention, early comfort is unlikely to last long once the second round kicks in.
Juniors Carry Momentum from International Stage
In the youth categories, recent international performances influenced seeding. P.B. Abhinand, fresh from his success in Skopje, where he claimed silver in U-19 boys’ singles and bronze in mixed doubles, earned the No. 1 seeding after edging out Priyanuj Bhattacharjee on ranking points. Abhinand’s steady progression this season marks him as one of the players to watch. The girls’ singles seeding was more straightforward, with Syndrela Das comfortably leading the list. Both Abhinand and Syndrela, like the other top seeds, were handed first-round byes and will begin their campaigns later today and tomorrow.
Beyond the headline names and seeding stories, the day’s play provided plenty of drama on the tables. Sreedatri Roy (Haryana) found herself stretched to the limit against Delhi’s Prisha Goel, eventually pulling through in a five-game thriller. Her ability to hold nerve under pressure was a highlight of the day. Another notable comeback came from Vanshika Mudgal (FCI, Delhi), who trailed Meher Garg (Haryana) by a game but rallied superbly to take the match 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9.
Vanshika’s resilience drew applause, proving once again that rankings alone rarely dictate outcomes in table tennis.
The U-19 girls’ draw, featuring 64 players with just three byes, ensured an intense start. Fourth seed Jennifer Varghese faced the scare of the day when she went two games down against Bengal’s Shaniqa Shahid. Just as an upset seemed imminent, Jennifer found her rhythm, storming back with three straight wins to prevail. Her recovery not only saved her campaign but also underscored her growing maturity in handling pressure. Seventh seed Ananya Muralidaran, still adjusting after her doubles gold in Skopje, also needed to dig deep. After dropping the opening game, she steadied herself to defeat Rajasthan’s Radhika Soni 11-6, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5.
Ananya’s recovery mirrored Jennifer’s, reflecting how tightly contested the junior section has become.
Not every seed, however, found a way through. Sixth seed Diya Bramachari suffered the day’s major upset, bowing out in straight games to Sukrati Sharma, who stunned her with a 7-11, 16-18, 10-12 victory. For Sukrati, the result marked a significant career milestone, while for Bramachari, it was a disappointing early exit that highlights the volatility of knockout play. With the top three seeds yet to enter the competition, the women’s U-19 draw is expected to produce even more compelling match-ups as the rounds progress. The early drama suggests that no seed is entirely safe, and surprises could be waiting in every section of the draw.
As the competition moves deeper into the week, the focus will increasingly turn to whether the higher seeds can justify their rankings and whether India’s emerging young talent can step up against seasoned names. The withdrawals and early exits have already reshaped parts of the draw, leaving space for unexpected contenders to make a mark. Day three has shown that while the seeding ladder provides structure, the reality of the court often writes its own script.
From veterans like Sathiyan seeking consistency to teenagers like Abhinand and Jennifer eager to prove their mettle, the championship at Thyagaraj Stadium promises gripping battles ahead.
For the fans, the blend of predictability and surprise is exactly what makes this stage of the tournament so absorbing.
