How Did Snehit Upset 13th Seed Oikawa in a Thriller to Reach Men’s Singles Pre-Quarters?
Synopsis
In a thrilling upset, Snehit Suravajjula saves six match points to defeat Japan's Mizuki Oikawa, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals of the WTT Star Contender 2026. This remarkable comeback showcases his determination and sets the stage for an exciting next round against top seed Oh Junsung. Discover the highlights of this nail-biting match!
Key Takeaways
Snehit Suravajjula displayed exceptional resilience by saving six match points.
He came back from a 0-2 deficit to win the match.
The match lasted 52 minutes and ended with a score of 3-2 .
Snehit will compete against top seed Oh Junsung in the next round.
Other notable performances included men's doubles and mixed doubles upsets.
Chennai, Feb 13 (NationPress) Snehit Suravajjula made an incredible comeback by saving six match points to defeat the 13th seed Mizuki Oikawa from Japan, advancing to the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals of the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 held at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University on Friday.
After initially trailing 0-2 in the match, Snehit showcased remarkable resilience and clinched the victory in the deciding game, winning 3-2 (9-11, 15-17, 11-4, 11-6, 18-16) within a thrilling 52 minutes. This win set up a Round of 16 encounter with top seed Oh Junsung, as the event is co-hosted by Ultimate Table Tennis, Sharath Kamal Academy, and Stupa Sports AI with support from SDAT.
Reflecting on his mindset during the tense moments of the fifth game, Snehit stated, “I kept reminding myself to concentrate on one point at a time and not dwell on the score, as I had faltered on the first two match points.”
The 25-year-old athlete entered the match without high expectations, but the close losses in the initial games actually boosted his confidence. “Losing the first game 9-11 made me doubt my ability to compete with his level. However, the close nature of the second game inspired me to fight back,” he explained.
Earlier, the seasoned men’s doubles pair of Sathiyan G. and Harmeet Desai upset the third-seeded French duo of Florian Bourrassaud and Esteban Dorr with a decisive 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-7) victory, earning a spot in the semifinals where they will face the Korean second seeds Lim Jonghoon and Oh Junsung for a chance to reach the finals.
In another upset, wild card entrants Payas Jain and Syndrela Das defeated the top-seeded pair of Manush Shah and Diya Chitale in mixed doubles, winning 3-1 (12-10, 13-11, 10-12, 11-9) to advance to the semifinals.
On Thursday, India’s top mixed doubles team, Manush Shah and Diya Chitale, along with rising star Ankur Bhattacharjee, achieved contrasting victories to progress. Manush and Diya, who recently triumphed at the WTT Contender Muscat 2026, faced intense pressure, saving three match points before securing a 3-2 (10-12, 11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 12-10) win against the Korean qualifiers to reach the quarterfinals.
Later, qualifier Ankur eliminated French player Florian Bourrassaud with a 3-1 (11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9) victory, setting up a second-round clash against the 14th seed Kazuhiro Yoshimura from Japan.
Point of View
I am excited to highlight Snehit Suravajjula's remarkable achievement at the WTT Star Contender 2026. His ability to overcome adversity and secure such a significant win not only showcases his potential but also enhances India's standing in the world of table tennis. We continue to support and follow our athletes as they make their mark on international platforms.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Snehit Suravajjula defeat?
Snehit Suravajjula defeated 13th seed Mizuki Oikawa from Japan.
What was the score of the match?
The match ended with a score of 3-2 in favor of Snehit Suravajjula.
Where is the WTT Star Contender 2026 being held?
The tournament is being held at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University in Chennai.
Who will Snehit face in the next round?
Snehit will face top seed Oh Junsung in the Round of 16.
What other matches were highlighted?
Men's doubles pair Sathiyan G. and Harmeet Desai also achieved an impressive win against the third-seeded French duo.
