Harmeet Desai, Manav advance, Manika Batra wins thrilling five-setter

Indian table tennis players had mixed fortunes on day one of the WTT Star Contender London 2025, with two progressing to the next round while two others bowed out in the Round of 32.

In men’s singles, Harmeet Desai overcame South Korea’s Hwan Bae in straight games, 11–8, 13–11, 11–4, to advance to the Round of 16.

Fellow Indian Manav Thakkar also booked his place in the next stage, defeating Connor Green in four games, 11–5, 8–11, 11–7, 11–9, in a tightly contested match.

However, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran could not progress, losing 6–11, 10–12, 9–11 to Japan’s Sora Matsushima, ending his campaign in the men’s singles early.

In the women’s singles, Manika Batra staged a remarkable comeback against Maria Xiao, winning a tense five-set match 19–17, 8–11, 2–11, 11–8, 11–6 to move into the next round.

Diya Chitale was eliminated in straight games by Japan’s Miwa Harimoto, with scores of 11–1, 11–8, 11–1, concluding her tournament run in the Round of 32.

With these results, India has three players advancing in singles events, keeping hopes alive for a strong showing at the London event.