WTT Star Contender | Manav storms into semifinals; no fairytale ending for Sharath

Manav Thakkar shines in WTT Star Contender, defeating Lim Jonghoon and making history as lone Indian in semifinals.

Manav Thakkar’s magnificent performance overshadowed Sharath Kamal’s farewell match at the WTT Star Contender at the Nehru Indoor Stadium here on Saturday.

Manav, the highest-ranked Indian in the world at 63, pulled off an upset win over Lim Jonghoon of South Korea. The 5-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-1 win against the 43rd-ranked Lim also ensured Manav became the lone Indian to make it the semifinals.

The 25-year-old also became the first Indian to enter the semifinals of a Star Contender event.

Earlier in the day, Sharath played his last professional match as he failed to get past S.F.R. Snehit 9-11, 8-11, 9-11 in the pre-quarterfinals.

 “There’s a good bench strength and I am pretty sure I’m leaving it in very safe hands,” signed off the 42-year-old Sharath. 

Lim, who achieved a career-best world No. 16 ranking two years back, was quicker and faster in the rallies against Manav. However, there was a change of fortunes for Manav in the fourth game.

Trailing 2-6, Manav clinched nine straight points in a row to win the game and surged to a 9-0 lead in the decider. He won a total of 18 points on the trot and then closed out the tie to script a stunning win.