The WTT Youth Contender 2026 in Vadodara delivered a morning of high drama and youthful resilience as Vivaan Dave and Naisha Rewaskar produced a remarkable comeback to defeat top seeds Aditya Das and Ankolika Chakraborty, booking their place in the U-15 mixed doubles final at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex on Saturday.
In a contest that swung repeatedly in momentum and emotion, Vivaan and Naisha prevailed 13-11, 5-11, 11-7, 5-11, 23-21 in one of the most gripping matches of the tournament so far. The victory not only underlined their growing partnership but also showcased the mental toughness that often separates promising junior players from exceptional ones.
The semifinal lived up to its billing from the very first game. Aditya and Ankolika, entering the match as favourites, looked in control early as they built an 8-5 lead in the opening game. However, Vivaan and Naisha refused to panic. They clawed their way back point by point, saved a game point, and eventually edged the opener 13-11. That early escape proved vital in setting the tone for a contest that would be decided on nerve rather than rankings.
As expected, the top seeds responded strongly. Aditya and Ankolika tightened their game in the second, dictating rallies and exploiting openings to take it 11-5. The third game followed a similar pattern of momentum shifts, but this time Vivaan and Naisha managed to impose themselves at crucial moments, winning 11-7 to regain the lead.
The fourth game once again saw the balance tilt. Aditya and Ankolika, showing why they were the top seeds, raised their intensity and levelled the match with an identical 11-5 scoreline. With both pairs locked at two games apiece, the semifinal headed into a decider that would become the defining moment of the morning session.
The final game began ominously for Vivaan and Naisha. Aditya and Ankolika surged to a 4-0 lead and soon found themselves holding three match points at 10-7. At that stage, the contest appeared to be slipping away. But what followed was a stunning display of composure from the underdogs. Vivaan and Naisha saved all three match points, refusing to yield even as the pressure mounted with every rally.
What made the decider particularly compelling was the way Vivaan and Naisha repeatedly hauled themselves back whenever Aditya and Ankolika reached match point. Each time the favourites edged ahead, the challengers responded with controlled aggression and calm execution. From 19-21 down, Vivaan and Naisha reeled off four consecutive points, sealing a dramatic 23-21 victory and drawing loud applause from spectators inside the hall.
The win sets up an all-Indian final in the U-15 mixed doubles, with Vivaan and Naisha now set to face Reyansh Jalan and Tanishka Kalbhairav. Reyansh and Tanishka booked their spot in the final with a convincing 11-3, 15-13, 11-7 victory over Sanjay Jagdish and Myraa Sangelkar in the other semifinal. The summit clash promises to be another intense battle, with both pairs having shown contrasting strengths on their way to the final.
The WTT Youth Contender 2026 marks the second consecutive year the event is being hosted in Vadodara, reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a hub for junior table tennis in India. This year’s edition features competitions across U-11 to U-19 categories and has attracted a strong field of 226 players, highlighting the depth and reach of grassroots table tennis in the country.
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Action in the older age groups also produced notable results. In the U-19 mixed doubles, top seeds Abhinandh Pradhivadhi and Ananya Muralidharan lived up to expectations to secure their place in the final. The duo overcame Ritvik Gupta and Ahona Roy 9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-8 in a closely contested semifinal that tested their adaptability and composure.
They will face Sarthak Arya and Syndrela Das in the U-19 mixed doubles final after the latter ended the impressive run of Sahil Rawat and Hardee Patel with an 11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5 victory. Both finalists have demonstrated consistency and tactical awareness, setting the stage for a high-quality championship match.
However, it was the U-15 semifinal featuring Vivaan Dave and Naisha Rewaskar that truly captured the imagination of those in attendance. The match embodied the spirit of youth sport fearless shot-making, emotional swings, and, ultimately, extraordinary resilience. As the tournament progresses, performances like these underline why events such as the WTT Youth Contender play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Indian table tennis.
With finals day approaching, all eyes will be on whether Vivaan and Naisha can carry their fighting spirit into the title clash and complete a memorable run in Vadodara.
