India enjoyed a commanding start at the WTT Star Contender Muscat 2025, delivering a series of composed, high-quality performances across singles, doubles and mixed categories.
The opening rounds saw multiple Indian paddlers progress to the next stage, highlighted by Manush Shah’s clinical sweep in the men’s singles, Sutirtha Mukherjee’s gritty comeback in the women’s singles, and a near-perfect day for India’s doubles teams.
As the competition intensifies in Muscat, the Indian contingent has announced its presence with depth, composure and tactical maturity.
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Manush Shah set the tone for India’s day with a dominant 3–0 win over Romania’s Andrei Movileanu in the Round of 64. The left-hander was at his sharpest from the start, controlling tempo with his trademark wristy counters and flat backhand exchanges. Movileanu attempted to disrupt the rhythm with early openings, but Manush’s speed off the table and clean finishing ensured he never allowed the Romanian a foothold.
The straight-games win not only takes Manush into the Round of 32 but also reinforces his growing consistency on the senior circuit, where he continues to evolve into one of India’s most reliable match players.
Sutirtha Mukherjee Survives a Thriller in Women’s Singles
If Manush’s victory was routine, Sutirtha Mukherjee’s win was a statement of grit. Facing Korea’s Lee Daeun in the women’s singles Round of 64, Sutirtha battled through a full-distance 3–2 contest that tested both her tactical flexibility and her nerve. After losing the opening game 8–11, Sutirtha responded with a composed 11–5 win, striking the ball with greater control and dictating longer rallies. The Korean teenager, however, refused to back down, taking the third game 11–5 with aggressive third-ball attacks.
At 1–2 down, Sutirtha summoned all her experience. She tightened her receive patterns, forced slower, more physical rallies, and levelled the match 11–8. The deciding game became a test of willpower as much as skill, with Sutirtha finally sealing it 14–12 on her third match point.
The win pushes Sutirtha into the Round of 32 and showcased her ability to handle pressure in a field packed with emerging Asian talent.
Men’s Doubles: Two Indian Pairs March Into the Quarterfinals
India’s progress in the men’s doubles category was emphatic, with both national pairs entering the quarterfinals without dropping a game.
Akash Pal / Payas Jain cruise past Oman pair
Akash and Payas produced a crisp 3–0 win over the local Omani duo, asserting control in every phase—from serves to mid-table counter-loops. Their chemistry was evident in the short game, and they maintained an error-free rhythm throughout the match.
Manav Thakkar / Manush Shah dominate Iran–Poland pair
The all-Indian combination of Manav and Manush proved too strong for Shams (Iran) and Zalewski (Poland), registering another convincing 3–0 victory. Their power-based pattern Manav’s opening acceleration combined with Manush’s angles and touch worked superbly, ensuring a quick entry into the last eight.
The clean sweep from both pairs reflects India’s continued rise in men’s doubles, particularly in the 21+ age bracket where tactical maturity becomes crucial.
Women’s Doubles: Two Thrillers, Two Big Indian Wins
India’s women produced two of the day’s most dramatic victories in the doubles category, both decided in a fifth-game decider.
Diya Chitale / Swastika Ghosh outlast European veterans
Diya and Swastika claimed a massive win over the experienced European pair Fu Yu and Shao Jieni of Portugal, recovering from momentum shifts to clinch the match 3–2. Their resilience shone in the final game, where they held their nerve against the Portuguese duo’s aggressive blocking patterns. The win takes the Indian pair into the quarterfinals a significant achievement at this level.
Sutirtha Mukherjee / Anusha Kutumbale edge past Singapore’s Jian/Qian
In another five-game battle, Sutirtha and Anusha delivered one of their most coordinated performances as they edged Singapore’s Wen Jing Jian and Ser Lin Qian 3–2. Despite the Singaporeans pushing hard in the middle games, the Indian pair controlled the final phase with measured serving patterns and deeper placements.
With these results, India places two women’s pairs in the last eight a key breakthrough in an event traditionally dominated by European and East Asian duos.
Mixed Doubles: Manush and Diya Look Championship-Ready
Second seeds Manush Shah and Diya Chitale entered the Muscat event as one of the favourites in mixed doubles, and they justified their billing with a commanding 3–0 win over Singapore’s Koen Pang and Jian Zeng. From the outset, Manush and Diya used sharp placement and tight receive options to break the Singapore pair’s rhythm. The win takes them into the quarterfinals without any signs of wear, a promising sign for the rounds ahead.
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Across five categories men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles India produced a near-perfect day, dropping only a handful of games while showcasing depth, maturity and adaptability.
As the competition advances to the Round of 32 and quarterfinal stages, India’s strong presence across the board gives them a serious shot at multiple semifinals and possibly title runs in Muscat.
