It was dual success for India’s Sreeja Akula who clinched the women’s singles and doubles titles at the WTT Contender Lagos in Nigeria on Sunday. This made Akula the first Indian paddler to win a WTT Contender singles title. Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar also won the men’s doubles title, with Archana Kamath partnering Akula in the women’s doubles triumph.
In the singles final, Akula beat China’s Ding Yijie 4-1 (10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6) to seal the title. Earlier in the semi-finals, Ding had seen off Akula’s compatriot Ayhika Mukherjee 3-2, while Akula beat Sutirtha Mukherjee 3-2. Sutirtha Mukherjee had reached the semi-finals after beaing world No 8 Shin Yubin of South Korea 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Also read: How Sreeja Akula evolved from being a silent paddler to earn a spot in the Olympics Congratulations to the #WTTLagos Champions 🔥 Mixed Doubles - Lim Jonghoon & Shin Yubin 🇰🇷 Women's Doubles - Sreeja Akula & Archana Girish Kamath 🇮🇳 Men's Doubles - Harmeet Desai & Manav Vikash Thakkar 🇮🇳 #WTTContender pic.twitter.com/hGAssjCp8W — World Table Tennis (@WTTGlobal) June 23, 2024 In the women’s doubles final, Akula and Kamath combined to beat Yashaswini Ghorpade and Diya Chitale 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 12-10).
The title-winning duo earlier also beat Ayhika Mukherjee-Sutirtha Mukherjee pairing 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 12-10). Desai and Thakkar overcame their Nigerian opponents Azeez Solanke and Olajide Omotayo 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-8) to clinch th.
