Sreeja Akula Stuns Top Seed Hina Hayata in Straight Games at WTT Contender Lagos: A Statement Win for Indian Table Tennis
In a performance that sent shockwaves through the tournament and the global table tennis circuit, India’s Sreeja Akula pulled off one of the biggest upsets of her career by defeating World No. 11 and Olympic bronze medallist Hina Hayata of Japan in straight games at the WTT Contender Lagos.
Playing with clarity, composure, and fearless aggression, Sreeja, the defending champion, took down the tournament’s top seed 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3) in the opening round to advance to the Round of 16. In doing so, she reminded the world why she’s regarded as one of India’s brightest talents in women’s table tennis.
Often, major upsets unfold over tense five-game battles. But Sreeja’s victory was anything but that. From the very first point, she looked in command, absorbing Hayata’s attacking game and turning defence into quick counters.
The first two games were tight, with Hayata trying to find rhythm, but Sreeja kept up the pressure, forcing errors and staying tactically disciplined. Once up 2-0, the Indian paddler didn’t hold back, closing the match clinically with an 11-3 scoreline in the third game.
The straight-games victory is significant not just because of Hayata’s world ranking, but because it reflects the gap Sreeja managed to create on the day outplaying one of the world’s top players without needing a deciding game.
A Win That Could Change Her Season
For Sreeja, this win comes at a critical time. The 2024–25 season has been challenging, with patchy results and inconsistency that belied her potential. But the defending champion showed once again why Lagos has been a special venue for her.
This victory arguably the biggest of her career so far will not only boost her confidence but could act as a turning point as she eyes back-to-back titles in Nigeria. Her ability to beat someone of Hayata’s pedigree shows that her best level can trouble even the sport’s elite.
In the Round of 16, Sreeja will face the winner between Nigeria’s Bello and Italy’s Vivarelli. On paper, she goes in as favourite but having just produced such a big upset, she will need to guard against any drop in focus.
Indian Mixed Doubles Teams Impress
It wasn’t just Sreeja making headlines for India in Lagos. Several Indian pairs advanced to the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles draw, highlighting the depth and promise in doubles.
The experienced pair of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Sreeja Akula combined to secure a confident win over Italy’s Carlo Rossi and Debora Vivarelli, booking their place in the last eight. Their understanding and calm under pressure were evident as they managed the match with tactical clarity.
Adding to the surprises, the young Indian pair Anirban Ghosh and Krittwika Roy shocked the fourth-seeded Italian duo Niagol Stoyanov and Giorgia Piccolin to also reach the quarterfinals a significant result for them at this level.
Elsewhere, the top-seeded Indian pair of Akash Pal and Poymantee Baisya had a smooth outing, comfortably defeating Nigeria’s Muizz Adegoke and Aishat Rabiu to join the Indian contingent in the quarterfinal stage.
These results show the growing strength of Indian table tennis not just in singles but also in mixed doubles an area where India continues to make steady gains on the world stage.
Can Sreeja Go All the Way?
With top seed Hina Hayata now out of the draw, the tournament has opened up considerably. As defending champion, Sreeja now has a real chance to repeat her 2023 title run. The way she handled Hayata suggests she is playing with freedom, and her ability to keep matches short could help conserve energy for the later rounds.
Yet, sport rarely follows scripts, and Sreeja will know that new challenges await. Players she could face in the quarters or semis may have less to lose and she’ll have to manage the pressure of expectation, which is very different from playing as an underdog.
Still, this win over a top-15 player, especially in such dominant style, signals that Sreeja is ready to step up from being a challenger to someone who can consistently trouble the world’s best.
A Statement Beyond the Scoreline
Beating an Olympic medallist is a milestone that stays on a player’s CV forever. But more importantly, it reflects where Indian table tennis is heading: young players showing they belong on the big stage, capable of not just participating but upsetting the best.
For Sreeja Akula, it is proof of her resilience, skill, and ability to produce her best on the day that matters. For Indian fans, it’s a reason to believe that the next few days in Lagos could bring something truly special.
With her place in the Round of 16 secured and confidence high, the big question now is: Can Sreeja defend her title and lift the trophy once again?
The next match will reveal more but for now, Indian table tennis celebrates one of its most memorable wins in recent years.
