The WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 is set to take place from March 25 to 30, 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, India.
This prestigious event boasts a prize pool of $275,000 and features a robust draw of 48 Men’s Singles (MS), 48 Women’s Singles (WS), 16 Men’s Doubles (MD), 16 Women’s Doubles (WD), and 16 Mixed Doubles (XD) pairs.
Men’s Singles (MS) Draw
The Indian men’s singles players face a series of challenging matchups:
• G. Sathiyan is set to face Sora Matsushima in the Round of 32.
• Sharath Kamal will meet Yukiya Uda in the Round of 16.
• Manav Thakkar is slated to play against An Jaehyun in the Round of 16.
• Manush Shah will compete against Lim Jonghoon in the Round of 32.
Notably, Sharath Kamal appears to have a relatively favorable draw, presenting an opportunity for a deep run as he approaches the latter stages of his illustrious career.
Women’s Singles (WS) Draw
The women’s singles draw features several intriguing all-Indian encounters:
• Ayhika Mukherjee faces Sutirtha Mukherjee in the first round, ensuring Indian representation in the subsequent round.
• Suhana Saini is set to play against Adriana Diaz in the Round of 32.
• Sreeja Akula will meet Miyu Nagasaki in the Round of 16.
• Manika Batra is scheduled to compete against Yashaswini Ghorpade in the Round of 32, with a potential clash against Cheng I-Ching in the Round of 16.
Sreeja Akula has a promising path to the quarterfinals, provided she capitalizes on her opportunities.
Men’s Doubles (MD)
The pair of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah are anticipated to reach at least the semifinals. Falling short of this benchmark would be considered a disappointment given their current form and synergy.
Women’s Doubles (WD)
The Mukherjee sisters, Ayhika and Sutirtha, are set to face the reigning Asian Champions, Sakura Mori and Satsuki Odo, in the quarterfinals—a formidable challenge that will test their mettle.
Mixed Doubles (XD)
The mixed doubles draw presents early tests for Indian pairs:
• Manav Thakkar and Manika Batra will take on the Japanese duo of Miwa Harimoto and Sora Matsushima in the first round.
• Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar may face Satsuki Odo and Maharu Yoshimura in their opening match.
These matchups underscore the high level of competition and the challenges that lie ahead for the Indian contingent.
Indian Representation in Qualifying Rounds
The qualifying rounds have seen significant Indian participation:
• Men’s Singles Qualifiers: 10 Indian players competed in the final qualifying round, vying for main draw entries.
• Women’s Singles Qualifiers: All-Indian matchups ensured that 8 Indian players secured spots in the main draw.
• Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles Qualifiers: Each category featured 5 Indian pairs competing for main draw berths.
This extensive participation highlights India’s growing prominence in the table tennis arena and the depth of talent within the country.
Global Participation and Rankings
The tournament has attracted top-tier international talent, with several high-ranking players in attendance. For the latest world rankings and a comprehensive list of participants, refer to the WTT Player List.
Conclusion
As the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 unfolds, Indian players have both opportunities and challenges ahead. The draws present a mix of favorable paths and formidable opponents. Success in this tournament could significantly boost their international standings and confidence.
Fans and enthusiasts eagerly await the performances that will highlight India’s prowess on the global table tennis stage.
Draw Analysis Data Courtesy TT_Badminton X
