The opening rounds of the WTT Feeder Vadodara 2026 in Vadodara delivered a series of eye-catching results as young Indian paddlers rose to the occasion, registering multiple upsets against higher-ranked and seeded opponents at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex on Friday.
Junior national champion Hansini Mathan, wildcard entrant Sanil Shetty, and the mixed doubles pair of Payas Jain and Syndrela Das emerged as the standout performers on a day that showcased India’s growing depth in table tennis. The inaugural edition of the WTT Feeder Series in Vadodara is being presented by the Sports Authority of Gujarat, hosted by the Table Tennis Association of Baroda, and implemented by UTT, marking an important addition to India’s international table tennis calendar.
Hansini Mathan Stuns Third Seed
Sixteen-year-old Hansini Mathan, already a trailblazer as India’s youngest junior national champion, produced one of the biggest shocks of the day in women’s singles. The teenager dismantled world No.78 and third seed Yoo Yerin of the Republic of Korea in straight games, winning 11-8, 11-3, 11-9 with remarkable composure and tactical clarity.
Hansini’s ability to dictate rallies, particularly on her forehand, stood out against a vastly more experienced opponent. She controlled the pace from the outset, denying Yoo any sustained momentum and closing out each game with confidence beyond her years.
Hansini’s next challenge will be against another Korean, Ryu Hanna, who had to dig deep to overcome Indian youngster Tanishka Kalbhairav in a five-game battle earlier in the day. The upcoming clash promises another stern test for the Indian teenager, who is quickly making a name for herself on the international circuit.
Hansini’s success continued in the women’s doubles as well. Partnering Sampada Bhiwandkar, she accounted for third seeds Anusha Kutumbale and Baisya in a thrilling five-game encounter. After dropping the opening game, the Indian pair showed resilience and tactical awareness to clinch the match 9-11, 15-13, 11-4, 6-11, 12-10.
Sanil Shetty’s Gritty Comeback
In men’s singles, wildcard entrant Sanil Shetty delivered a memorable comeback, overturning a two-game deficit to defeat second seed Harmeet Desai. Shetty held his nerve under intense pressure, saving a match point before sealing a dramatic 6-11, 5-11, 14-12, 13-11, 11-7 victory. The win highlighted Shetty’s mental toughness and ability to adapt mid-match. After struggling in the opening two games, he altered his return strategy and began targeting Harmeet’s wide forehand, gradually shifting the momentum in his favour. Shetty will now face qualifier Sougata Sarkar in the pre-quarterfinals.
Continuing the theme of upsets, Priyanuj Bhattacharya ousted eighth seed Navid Shams of Iran in four games. After conceding the opening game, Bhattacharya grew in confidence, winning 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 to move into the second round, where he will take on Yashansh Malik.
In mixed doubles, the Indian pairing of Payas Jain and Syndrela Das recovered from a slow start to defeat Pal and Baisya in five games. After losing the opening game 4-11, Jain and Das regrouped effectively, displaying improved coordination and consistency to win 11-6, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6 and advance to the next round.
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While several unseeded Indians made headlines, the top seeds in men’s singles also progressed without major trouble. Top seed Manush Shah, third seed Snehit Suravajjula, and sixth seed Ankur Bhattacharjee all booked their places in the next round.
Local favorite Manush Shah delivered a composed performance against qualifier Parth Magar, winning 11-7, 11-4, 11-4. After establishing an early lead in the opening game, Manush maintained control throughout, particularly dominating the second game with a run of six consecutive points. Snehit Suravajjula was equally convincing, brushing aside wildcard entrant Pratham Madlani 11-5, 11-7, 11-3, while Ankur Bhattacharjee overcame a brief second-game wobble to defeat Abhinandh Pradhivadhi 11-6, 3-11, 11-8, 11-6.
In the pre-quarterfinals, Bhattacharjee will face Mudit Dani, who edged past Ved Sheth in a five-game contest, while Snehit is set to take on Divyansh Srivastava, who defeated qualifier Balamurugan Rajasekaran in straight games. With multiple Indians advancing and several seeded players already sent packing, the WTT Feeder Series 2026 in Vadodara has begun on a promising note, underlining the depth and competitiveness of India’s emerging table tennis talent.
