Indian table tennis scripted a landmark moment at the WTT Singapore Smash 2026 on Wednesday as the men’s doubles pairing of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah became the first Indian player or pair to reach the semifinals of a WTT Smash event.
Indian table tennis scripted a landmark moment at the WTT Singapore Smash 2026 as the men’s doubles pairing of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah became the first Indian player or pair to reach the semifinals of a WTT Smash event.
The sixth-seeded Indian duo delivered a composed and tactically disciplined performance to defeat Belgium’s Martin Allegro and Adrien Rassenfosse in straight games in the quarterfinals.
Manav and Manush secured a convincing 3-0 victory (11-8, 11-9, 11-9) to book their place in the last four, achieving what no Indian paddler had previously managed at one of the most prestigious events on the World Table Tennis calendar.
Clinical Execution in Key Moments
The Indian pair entered the contest wary of the Belgian challenge. Allegro and Rassenfosse had earlier stunned the top-seeded South Korean duo of Lim Jong-hoon and An Jae-hyun, marking themselves as serious contenders.
However, the Indians showcased remarkable composure and clarity in execution.
The opening game saw tight exchanges before Thakkar and Shah gained control through effective returns and sharp third-ball attacks to close it 11-8. The second game followed a similar pattern, with the Belgians attempting to quicken the tempo through aggressive net play, but the Indians held firm to edge it 11-9.
In the third game, the Belgians mounted a late fightback to level the scores at 9-9. At that crucial juncture, the Indian duo called for a timeout to reset tactically. The move paid off instantly as they claimed the next two points to seal the match in straight games.
Their ability to handle pressure in decisive moments underlined the growing maturity of the partnership on the global stage.
Semifinal Showdown
With the historic win, the Indian pair now face the formidable French brothers Alexis Lebrun and Félix Lebrun in the semifinals.
The Lebrun brothers are among the most consistent doubles combinations on the professional circuit, presenting a stern test in the battle for a place in the final.
Regardless of the semifinal outcome, Thakkar and Shah have already etched their names in Indian table tennis history. Their breakthrough at the Singapore Smash signals a major step forward for India in elite-level doubles competition and reflects the nation’s steady rise in the sport’s global hierarchy.
Source: IndiaSportsHub
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