Can Snehit Suravajjula and Nithya Mani Upset Higher-Ranked Opponents at WTT Star Contender Chennai?
Synopsis
In an exciting turn of events at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026, Snehit Suravajjula and Nithya Mani achieved remarkable victories against higher-ranked opponents, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals. Their impressive performances have set the stage for thrilling upcoming matches. Will they continue their winning streak?
Key Takeaways
Snehit Suravajjula makes a remarkable comeback, defeating the 13th seed.
Nithya Mani shines by overcoming the 14th seed.
Indian players show significant promise in international table tennis.
Upcoming matches will be crucial for both players.
Wild card entrants surprise by reaching mixed doubles semifinals.
Chennai, Feb 13 (NationPress) Snehit Suravajjula triumphed against Japanese 13th seed Mizuki Oikawa, saving six match points during the decisive game. Meanwhile, qualifier Nithya Mani eliminated 14th seed Minhyung Jee from Australia, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of both men’s and women’s singles at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 held at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University on Friday.
Snehit initially faced a daunting 0-2 deficit but managed to rally back in the final game, showcasing remarkable composure as he converted his third match point to win 3-2 (9-11, 15-17, 11-4, 11-6, 18-16) after 52 minutes. This victory sets up a Round of 16 match against top seed Oh Junsung. The event is co-hosted by Ultimate Table Tennis, Sharath Kamal Academy, and Stupa Sports AI, with support from SDAT.
Nithya, currently ranked World No. 481, defeated 14th seed Jee 3-2 (10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7) in her second-round match. She is set to face fourth seed Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei, who overcame Ayhika Mukherjee 3-1 (11-9, 11-5, 11-13, 11-5).
Also reaching the men’s pre-quarters were 10th seed G Sathiyan and 15th seed Manush Shah. Sathiyan beat Korea’s Lim Jonghoon 3-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11), while Manush won against another Korean, Park Gyuhyeon, with a score of 11-6, 11-7, 11-9. Sathiyan will now take on Romanian 8th seed Eduard Ionescu, and Manush is set to compete against Lubomir Jancarik from the Czech Republic.
Snehit’s electrifying win was the highlight of the day.
Reflecting on his mental state during the tense moments of the fifth game, Snehit stated, “I focused on one point at a time and tried not to dwell on the score after my initial mistakes on the first two match points.”
The 25-year-old entered the match without high expectations. However, losing the first two closely contested games ultimately bolstered his confidence. “I lost the first game 9-11 and struggled to believe I could compete at his level. But losing the second game, which was also tight, instilled in me the belief that I could win the next,” he remarked.
In a surprising turn, wild card entrants Payas Jain and Syndrella Das defeated top seeds Manush Shah and Diya Chitale 3-1 (12-10, 13-11, 10-12, 11-9) to secure a place in the mixed doubles semifinals.
India is guaranteed a spot in the mixed doubles final as they will face fourth seeds Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade in the semifinals.
Point of View
The performance of Snehit Suravajjula and Nithya Mani at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 exemplifies the rising talent in Indian table tennis. Their capability to challenge and defeat higher-ranked players not only inspires young athletes but also showcases the growing competitiveness of Indian players on the global stage. This event is a pivotal moment for the sport in India, and we continue to support our athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Snehit Suravajjula defeat?
Snehit Suravajjula defeated Japanese 13th seed Mizuki Oikawa.
What was the score of Nithya Mani's match?
Nithya Mani won her match against 14th seed Minhyung Jee of Australia with a score of 3-2.
Where is the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 being held?
The event is taking place at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University in Chennai.
Who will Snehit face next?
Snehit will compete against top seed Oh Junsung in the Round of 16.
What notable achievement did wild card entrants Payas Jain and Syndrella Das accomplish?
They upset top seeds Manush Shah and Diya Chitale to reach the mixed doubles semifinals.
