Snehit Suravajjula produced one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament so far, saving six match points to upset Japan’s 13th seed Mizuki Oikawa and storm into the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals of the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026.
The tournament, co-hosted by Ultimate Table Tennis, Sharath Kamal Academy and Stupa Sports AI with the support of SDAT at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, witnessed a gripping 52-minute battle that swung repeatedly before Snehit sealed a 3-2 (9-11, 15-17, 11-4, 11-6, 18-16) victory.
From 0-2 Down to Match-Point Heroics
The contest began with Oikawa asserting control in the opening two games. The Japanese left-hander edged the first 11-9 before clinching a tight second game 17-15, leaving Snehit staring at elimination.
However, the Indian recalibrated tactically from the third game onwards. He increased the pace on his forehand, attacked early off the receive and began dictating longer rallies. The shift in intent paid dividends as he claimed the third and fourth games convincingly, 11-4 and 11-6, forcing a decider.
The fifth game was a test of endurance and nerve. Oikawa earned multiple match points, but Snehit refused to yield. Saving six match points in total, the 25-year-old showed remarkable composure under pressure before converting his third match point at 17-16 to complete the comeback.
Reflecting on the decisive moments, Snehit said, “I was just telling myself to focus on one point at a time and not think of the score as I made mistakes on the first two match points.”
He admitted that the early setbacks ultimately helped him settle into the contest. “I lost the first game 9-11 and I was struggling to believe that I could match his level. Then I lost the second game which was also close but that gave me confidence to win the next,” he added.
The victory sets up a Round of 16 clash against top seed Oh Junsung, another stern test against a Korean opponent known for his explosive attacking play.
Sathiyan-Harmeet Power Into Doubles Semis
Earlier in the day, India’s experienced men’s doubles pairing of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Harmeet Desai delivered a clinical performance to upset third-seeded French duo Florian Bourrassaud and Esteban Dorr 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-7).
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The Indian pair combined tactical discipline with sharp finishing at the net, maintaining control through all three games without allowing the Frenchmen to build sustained momentum. Their straight-games victory underlined the value of experience and chemistry at this level.
Sathiyan and Harmeet will now face second seeds Lim Jonghoon and Oh Junsung of Korea in the semifinals — a high-quality contest that promises pace, precision and tactical nuance.
Mixed Doubles Upset Adds to Indian Momentum
In another surprise result, wildcard pair Payas Jain and Syndrela Das toppled top seeds Manush Shah and Diya Chitale 3-1 (12-10, 13-11, 10-12, 11-9) to reach the mixed doubles semifinals. The young duo displayed fearless shot-making in the opening two games, edging both on deuce before maintaining composure in the fourth to seal the win. Their victory adds further intrigue to the mixed doubles draw and highlights the growing depth within India’s table tennis ranks.
A Statement Day for India
Friday’s results reinforced the competitive maturity of Indian players on the WTT circuit. Snehit’s comeback win, in particular, stands out not just for the quality of opposition but for the psychological resilience displayed under extreme scoreboard pressure.
Saving six match points against a seeded Japanese opponent in a Star Contender event reflects a level of belief and composure that Indian men’s table tennis has increasingly begun to exhibit on home soil.
As the tournament enters its business end, India’s presence across singles and doubles categories ensures sustained interest and heightened expectations. With Snehit preparing for a clash against the top seed and the doubles pairs eyeing final berths, the Chennai crowd has more high-intensity contests to look forward to in the coming days.
