WTT Singapore Smash: India's Challenge Ends Early As Kamal, Thakkar Exit In First Round

WTT Singapore Smash: India's challenge ends early as Kamal, Thakkar exit in first round (Image Source: IANS)

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna: India’s campaign in the men’s singles main draw at the 2025 WTT Singapore Smash came to an early end as Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manav Thakkar suffered first-round defeats on Sunday. Despite showing glimpses of fight, both Indian paddlers bowed out in five-game battles.

Veteran paddler and India’s table tennis icon Achanta Sharath Kamal, who had earned a direct qualification into the main draw thanks to his world ranking, took on Chinese Taipei’s Kao Cheng-Jui in his opening-round match.

The contest, which lasted just under 37 minutes, saw a roller-coaster of momentum shifts before the 42-year-old Indian eventually succumbed to a 2-3 (2-11, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 4-11) defeat.

Sharath had a nightmare start to the match, failing to find his rhythm as Kao dominated the opening game 11-2. However, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardee bounced back in style, using his experience to dictate play in the next two games, winning them 11-5 and 11-8 to take a 2-1 lead.

Just when it seemed like he was gaining control, Kao responded with a strong fourth game, winning it 11-7 to force a decider.

In the final game, Sharath struggled against Kao’s aggressive approach, conceding quick points. The Chinese Taipei paddler sealed the decider 11-4, knocking Sharath out of the tournament and advancing to the next round. The Indian stalwart’s loss marked a disappointing result for his fans, who had hoped for a deep run in the tournament.

Later in the day, India’s rising star Manav Thakkar also endured a tough five-game defeat, going down 2-3 (11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11) against Singapore’s Pang Koen in a match that lasted 41 minutes. The 24-year-old from Surat, who had fought his way through the qualification rounds, showed determination but ultimately fell short against his home-favorite opponent.

Thakkar started positively, clinching the opening game 11-9 after a well-fought battle. However, Pang, backed by strong home support, quickly turned the tables by winning the next two games 11-9 and 11-8 to take a 2-1 lead.

Despite the pressure, Thakkar showcased his resilience, coming back strongly to claim the fourth game 11-7 and push the match into a deciding fifth game. With the momentum swinging both ways, the decider was a tense affair. But Pang capitalized on his home advantage, maintaining his composure to close out the final game 11-8, sealing Thakkar’s fate in the tournament.

Thakkar started positively, clinching the opening game 11-9 after a well-fought battle. However, Pang, backed by strong home support, quickly turned the tables by winning the next two games 11-9 and 11-8 to take a 2-1 lead.

Article Source: IANS