CHENNAI: It was a day when top Indian paddlers were at the receiving end of upsets at the WTT Star Contender here on Friday. However, there was something to cheer for the local fans as world No. 123 Snehit Suravajjula delivered an outstanding performance, stunning world No. 29 Yukiya Uda from Japan 8-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10 to advance to the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals.
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Earlier in the day, India’s top two paddlers in women’s singles, Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula, bowed out in the second round. Manika went down 7-11, 10-12, 11-7, 9-11 to the 239th-ranked Huang Yu-Jie of Chinese Taipei, while Sreeja lost 6-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 7-11 to compatriot and world No. 220 Krittwika Roy.
In men’s singles, coming back from 0-2 down and saving three match points, wildcard entrant Snehit did the unthinkable to register the biggest win of his career yet.
Sharath in men’s singles pre-QFs
Sharath reached the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals and finished his men’s doubles campaign in the semis.
In singles, Sharath got the better of 10th-seeded Nicholas Lum 11-8, 11-8, 11-9.
