WTT Star Contender Chennai: Sharath Kamal ends career in R16; Manav enters semis

Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal's over two-decade long career came to an end in the men's singles R16 at the 2025 WTT Star Contender in Chennai on Saturday.

Fittingly, Sharath Kamal went down 0-3 to his doubles partner and wildcard entrant Snehit Suravajjula in what can be viewed as a baton exchange to the younger generation of Indian table tennis.

The 42-year-old Sharath fought hard in the pre-quarterfinal match, but Snehit was too hot to handle. 

Snehit, who had defeated world No 29 in the previous round to set up a R16 clash with Sharath, held his nerves at crucial junctures to win 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 in a match which lasted just over 25 minutes.

The sizeable crowd present at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium sent out loud roars as curtains fell on a legendary career. Sharath, in reply, bowed down, appreciating their support.

Manav Creates History

On the other hand, the highest-ranked Indian male padddler, Manav Thakkar, continued his super form to reach the semifinal of the tournament, upsetting the world no.43 Lim Jonghoon of Korea in tight five games.

He came from behind (2-6) to win the fourth game by 11-6 and forced a decider. He continued this momentum and won 18 points on the trot to easily edge past Lim in the final game with a score of 11-1.

With this, Manav has also created history and become the first Indian singles player to reach the semi-final of a WTT Star Contender event.

Manav had a tough outing overall in Chennai as earlier in the day, he was pushed to the corners by Germany’s Andre Bertelsmeier in another five-game thriller, but he came out on top in that match too.

In the semi-finals, Manav will now take on the French Paddler Thibault Peret, who booked his place in the semi-final with a 3-1 win against another Indian youngster, Snehit, in another quarterfinal.