Sreeja Akula Ends Title Drought With Dominant WTT Feeder Puerto Princesa Triumph

Sreeja Akula returned to the top step of the podium in emphatic fashion, defeating Taiwan’s Li Yu-Jhun 3-0 in the final of the WTT Feeder Puerto Princesa 2026 to claim her first WTT title since 2024.

The Indian, ranked World No. 63, produced a commanding performance against the World No. 54, winning 11-8, 11-6, and 11-8 to complete a straight-games victory and cap an outstanding week in the Philippines. The triumph is Sreeja’s fourth WTT singles title overall and her third at the WTT Feeder level. It also makes her the Indian singles player with the most WTT titles, underlining her consistency on the international circuit.

More importantly, the victory ends a title drought that had stretched back to 2024. Sreeja had to navigate a challenging draw featuring players from South Korea and Chinese Taipei before earning her place in the final, and she finished the job without dropping a game in the championship match.

The final against Li Yu-Jhun was expected to be a closely contested affair given the rankings, but Sreeja quickly established control. She won the opening game 11-8, setting the tone for the contest. The Indian continued to dictate the exchanges in the second game, opening up a significant advantage before closing it 11-6. With the title within reach, Sreeja maintained her composure in the third. Li attempted to extend the contest, but the Indian remained in command and secured the game 11-8 to complete the 3-0 victory.

The result was particularly impressive considering the quality of opposition Sreeja had faced throughout the tournament. Her route to the title included three victories over Korean opponents and two against players from Chinese Taipei, making the championship run a test of both endurance and adaptability.

Tough Korean Test Before The Final

Sreeja's campaign began with a demanding Round of 32 encounter against South Korea’s Lee Daeun. The Indian was pushed to five games but eventually prevailed 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 11-6. After taking the first two games, Sreeja saw her opponent fight back to level the match, forcing a deciding fifth game. She responded strongly when it mattered most, winning the decider 11-6 to progress.

The Round of 16 brought another Korean challenge in Kim Eumseo. This time, Sreeja recovered from a slow start after losing the opening game 2-11. She responded by winning the next three games 11-3, 11-6 and 11-7 to complete a 3-1 victory. The quarter-final was considerably more straightforward. Facing Choi Seoyeon of South Korea, Sreeja produced one of her most dominant performances of the tournament, winning 11-2, 11-5, 11-8 in straight games.

Three successive victories against Korean opposition had taken her into the last four, where another major test awaited.

In the semi-final, Sreeja faced Chinese Taipei’s Chen Min-Hsin. The Indian made a strong start, winning the first game 11-9. The second game proved to be a major battle, but Sreeja held her nerve to take it 16-14. Chen responded in the third, winning 11-9 and briefly keeping the contest alive. Sreeja, however, regained control in the fourth game and closed out the match 11-5.

The 3-1 victory booked her place in the final against Li Yu-Jhun. It also meant that Sreeja had successfully negotiated five matches against opponents from two of the strongest table tennis nations in the Asian field.

The Puerto Princesa title adds another significant achievement to Sreeja's international career. This is her fourth WTT title overall, with three of those victories coming at the Feeder level. It is also her first WTT title since 2024. The significance of the victory goes beyond the trophy itself. After facing a five-game battle in the opening round, Sreeja steadily grew into the tournament, producing increasingly authoritative performances as she advanced through the knockout stages.

Her progression from a hard-fought opening victory to a dominant quarter-final, followed by two victories over Chinese Taipei opponents, showcased her ability to adapt to different styles and situations. For Indian table tennis, the title is another reminder of Sreeja’s ability to deliver on the international stage. Her fourth WTT singles title gives her the distinction of being the most successful Indian singles player in terms of WTT titles.

The tournament also provided another reason for Indian table tennis fans to celebrate. Sreeja was not the only Indian to reach a singles final in Puerto Princesa. Ankur Bhattacharjee also made it through to the men’s singles final after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Yang Hao Jen 16-14, 11-8, 11-7 in the semi-final. That meant India had representatives in both the men’s and women’s singles finals of the WTT Feeder Puerto Princesa.

While Sreeja ultimately claimed the women’s singles crown, her performance was the standout individual achievement of the tournament for India. After two years without a WTT title, she has now returned to the winner’s circle in convincing fashion. More than just another entry on her résumé, the Puerto Princesa triumph represents a statement of intent from a player who remains one of India’s leading singles hopes.

Sreeja Akula is back on top and she did it in style.