Manav Thakkar Stuns World No. 13 Darko Jorgić as Indian Paddlers Shine at WTT Contender Zagreb 2026

India’s top-ranked men’s singles paddler Manav Thakkar delivered one of the biggest victories of his career by upsetting World No. 13 Darko Jorgić in the opening round of the WTT Contender Zagreb 2026 in Croatia.

Ranked 35th in the world, Manav overcame the Slovenian star 3-1 (10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10) in a high-quality contest to book his place in the Round of 16. The victory was particularly impressive given Jorgić’s recent form, with the three-time Europe Top 16 champion arriving in Zagreb after winning the WTT Contender Skopje title just a week earlier.

The result not only boosts Manav’s confidence but also reinforces his status as India’s leading men’s singles player on the international circuit.

The match began with Jorgić edging a tightly contested first game 12-10, using his experience to close out crucial points. However, Manav refused to be discouraged. The Indian gradually found his rhythm and started dictating longer rallies with greater consistency. He claimed the second game 11-9 before raising his level further to win the third 11-8. With momentum on his side, Manav entered the fourth game knowing he was just one set away from a memorable victory. 

The final game proved to be the closest of the match, but the Indian held his nerve brilliantly to edge it 12-10 and complete a deserved 3-1 triumph.

Beating a player of Jorgić’s calibre, especially one in such strong recent form, represents a significant milestone in Manav’s career and could provide a major confidence boost for the rest of the season.

Manav’s reward for the upset is a Round of 16 clash against Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar. The home favourite, ranked 29th in the world, will have the support of the local crowd and presents another difficult challenge for the Indian. Nevertheless, after eliminating one of the tournament’s strongest contenders, Manav will head into the match believing he can continue his impressive run.

His composure under pressure and ability to recover after losing the opening game against Jorgić suggest he is in excellent competitive form.

It was not just Manav who enjoyed success in Zagreb. Young Indian paddler Ankur Bhattacharjee also advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Romania’s Eduard Ionescu 3-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4). After dropping the opening game, Ankur responded in dominant fashion, winning the next three games comfortably and rarely allowing his opponent to establish any rhythm.

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The victory came on the back of another impressive performance in the qualification stages, where Ankur had defeated 2015 World Championships silver medallist Fang Bo 3-1 to earn a place in the main draw.

Those consecutive victories underline the steady progress being made by one of India’s brightest young table tennis prospects.

His next challenge, however, will be an even sterner examination as he faces World No. 10 and second seed Dang Qiu of Germany in the Round of 16.

India also enjoyed success in the men’s doubles competition. The pairing of Manav Thakkar and Snehit Suravajjula advanced to the quarterfinals after overcoming compatriots Ankur Bhattacharjee and Payas Jain in a closely contested five-game encounter. The all-Indian battle showcased the depth emerging within the country’s men’s table tennis programme, with both teams producing high-quality rallies before Manav and Snehit eventually secured a 3-2 victory.

The win keeps India’s hopes alive in the doubles event and adds another positive chapter to an encouraging tournament.

Manav’s triumph over Darko Jorgić stands out not only because of the ranking difference but also because of the Slovenian’s pedigree. A former World No. 6 and three-time Europe Top 16 champion, Jorgić has consistently been among Europe’s strongest players and remains a regular contender at major international tournaments.

Defeating such an accomplished opponent demonstrates that Indian players are increasingly capable of competing with and defeating the world’s elite. For Manav personally, the victory reinforces his growing reputation as a player capable of delivering on the biggest stages.

The performances in Zagreb provide another encouraging sign for Indian table tennis as the country continues its push to establish itself among the sport’s leading nations. Manav’s headline-making upset, combined with Ankur’s impressive run and the doubles success of Manav and Snehit, reflects the increasing depth and competitiveness within the Indian setup.

While tougher tests await in the later rounds, the confidence gained from these victories could prove invaluable.

For now, the spotlight firmly belongs to Manav Thakkar, whose remarkable win over World No. 13 Darko Jorgić ranks among the standout results of his career and serves as a reminder that India’s leading paddlers are capable of challenging the very best on the international stage.