Can Desai and Ghorpade Triumph in Mixed Doubles Final? Sathiyan Advances to Men’s Singles Quarters!
Synopsis
In an exhilarating day at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026, Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade easily advanced to the mixed doubles final, while Sathiyan G. fought hard to secure his place in the men's singles quarterfinals. Can they continue this impressive run? Find out more!
Key Takeaways
Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade reach the mixed doubles final.
Sathiyan G. advances to men's singles quarterfinals for the first time.
Exciting matches took place at Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University .
Indian athletes are making significant strides on the international stage.
Challenges remain for new talents in women's singles.
Chennai, Feb 14 (NationPress) The fourth-seeded duo of Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade effortlessly clinched their spot in the mixed doubles final, while Sathiyan G. achieved a remarkable victory to reach his inaugural men’s singles quarterfinals at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026, held at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University in Chennai on Saturday.
Desai and Ghorpade exhibited total dominance in the all-Indian mixed doubles semifinal, overpowering wild card entrants Payas Jain and Syndrela Das with a convincing score of 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-9).
They are set to face second seeds Eduard Ionescu and Bernadette Szocs from Romania, who advanced after third seeds Oh Jun-sung from Korea and Miku Nagasaki from Japan had to concede the match while trailing 1-2.
Previously, Sathiyan kept the Indian hopes alive in men’s singles as he rallied from a 1-2 deficit to triumph over Ionescu 3-2 (9-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-7, 11-5) to progress. He will now take on Lubomir Jancarik from Czechia, who defeated India’s Manush Shah with a score of 3-1 (11-4, 13-11, 5-11, 13-11).
Sathiyan, who is seeded 10th, advanced after overcoming Lim Jong-hoon from the Korea Republic 3-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11). Meanwhile, compatriot Manush also progressed by defeating another Korean, Park Gyu-hyeon, with a score of 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.
In other news, Snehit Suravajjula’s impressive run came to an end as he succumbed to top seed Oh Jun-sung with a score of 3-1 (11-6, 10-12, 15-13, 11-7).
On Friday, Snehit had staged a comeback from a 0-2 deficit to win in the decider, showcasing remarkable composure to convert his third match point for a victory of 3-2 (9-11, 15-17, 11-4, 11-6, 18-16) against Japanese 13th seed Mizuki Oikawa.
Korean Oh Jun-sung, however, had to give a walkover to Frenchman Thibault Poret in the quarterfinals due to an injury sustained during the mixed doubles semifinals.
India’s campaign in the women’s singles also concluded after qualifier Nithya Mani lost 3-1 (9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-8) to Taiwan’s fourth seed Cheng I-Ching in the pre-quarterfinals. Notably, Nithya, ranked world no. 481, had previously upset 14th seed Jee from Australia 3-2 (10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7) in the second round.
Point of View
We celebrate the remarkable achievements of our athletes in the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026. The performances of Desai, Ghorpade, and Sathiyan showcase the growing strength and talent in Indian table tennis. These accomplishments not only enhance our sports legacy but also inspire future generations. We remain committed to supporting our athletes and reporting on their journeys with the utmost integrity.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the finalists in the mixed doubles?
The mixed doubles finalists are Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade, who will face Eduard Ionescu and Bernadette Szocs from Romania.
How did Sathiyan perform in the tournament?
Sathiyan G. fought back from a deficit to win his match against Eduard Ionescu, securing his place in the men's singles quarterfinals.
What was Nithya Mani's outcome in the women's singles?
Nithya Mani lost 3-1 against Cheng I-Ching from Chinese Taipei in the pre-quarterfinals.
What notable matches occurred on Friday?
Snehit Suravajjula showcased an incredible comeback against Mizuki Oikawa, winning 3-2 after overcoming a 0-2 deficit.
