Sreeja Akula Returns to Top Form with Dominant Win at WTT Star Contender Ljubljana; Manush Shah and Manika Batra Shine

Indian table tennis received a timely boost at the WTT Star Contender Ljubljana as Sreeja Akula produced one of her most convincing performances since returning from injury, defeating China’s Qin Yuxuan in straight games to advance to the Round of 32 in the women’s singles competition.

For Sreeja, who has struggled to rediscover her best form after an injury layoff, the 3-0 victory was about far more than just progression in the tournament. It was a statement that India’s highest-ranked women’s paddler is beginning to regain the confidence and rhythm that made her one of the country’s biggest success stories over the past two seasons.

Facing World No. 29 Qin Yuxuan, Sreeja displayed complete control throughout the contest, winning 11-7, 11-7, 11-7. She dictated rallies from the outset, mixed aggressive forehand attacks with disciplined placement, and rarely allowed her Chinese opponent to establish momentum.

The straight-games victory was particularly encouraging given the calibre of the opposition. Chinese players continue to dominate world table tennis, making comprehensive wins against them especially valuable for Indian athletes aiming to compete consistently at the highest level.

Sreeja’s return to form comes at an important stage of the season, with several major international events on the horizon, including the Asian Games. A fully fit and confident Sreeja significantly strengthens India’s prospects in both team and individual competitions.

While Sreeja grabbed the headlines in the women’s draw, Manush Shah enjoyed an equally memorable day by progressing in both singles and doubles.

In the men’s singles Round of 64, Manush battled past World No. 35 Chen Junsong of China in a thrilling five-game encounter. The Indian recovered from dropping the opening game to eventually prevail 10-12, 12-10, 13-11, 11-13, 11-9 after nearly every game was decided by the narrowest of margins.

The contest showcased Manush’s composure under pressure. He repeatedly saved crucial points in the closing stages of games and demonstrated excellent mental resilience to edge two deuce games before closing out the deciding fifth game.

Victories over Chinese opponents remain among the toughest achievements in international table tennis, making the result another significant confidence booster for the rising Indian star.

Manush’s success was not limited to singles action. Teaming up with Manav Vikas Thakkar in the men’s doubles event, the Indian pair defeated the French combination of Flavien Coton Rolland and Esteban Dorr De Nodrest 3-1 to secure a place in the quarterfinals.

The duo’s chemistry and attacking style were evident throughout the match as they overcame the world-ranked French partnership with disciplined serving and effective third-ball attacks. The result keeps Indian hopes alive in the doubles competition and underlines the growing strength of partnerships developed over recent seasons.

Another positive result for India came through Manika Batra, who booked her place in the women’s singles Round of 32 with a 3-1 victory over China’s Yang Yiyun. Manika once again relied on her trademark variation and defensive skills to unsettle her opponent before sealing progression to the next stage.

The performances by Sreeja, Manush and Manika collectively represent an encouraging day for Indian table tennis, particularly given the quality of opposition from China, a nation that has dominated the sport for decades.

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Not all results, however, went India’s way. In the women’s doubles competition, the promising pairing of Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade exited in the Round of 16 after losing 1-3 to Japan’s experienced duo of Sato and Shibata.

Despite the defeat, the Indian pair showed flashes of their potential by taking the third game and competing strongly throughout the match. Their performance highlighted both the progress they have made and the areas requiring refinement against established international combinations.

The broader picture from Ljubljana remains highly encouraging for Indian table tennis. The resurgence of Sreeja Akula is particularly significant, as she has been working to regain peak fitness following injury setbacks. Her commanding victory over a top-30 Chinese player suggests that her game is once again moving in the right direction.

Similarly, Manush Shah’s ability to produce victories in both singles and doubles demonstrates his versatility and growing maturity on the international stage. Combined with Manika Batra’s progression and continued competitiveness, India has multiple players capable of making deep runs in major tournaments.

As the WTT Star Contender Ljubljana progresses, Indian fans will be optimistic that these performances translate into further success. For Sreeja especially, the tournament could mark the beginning of a return to the form that established her as the country’s No. 1 and one of Asia’s most dangerous competitors.

With confidence restored and momentum building, India’s leading paddlers have laid down an early marker in Ljubljana and will look to carry that form into the latter stages of the competition.