Regardless of whether the draw is favourable, Indian paddler Harmeet Desai believes he can perform well and make a deep run at the WTT Star Contender Chennai, scheduled from March 25 to 30. The main draw begins on March 27.
With top-ranked players such as World No. 3 Tomokazu Harimoto, World No. 6 Hugo Calderano, Jonathan Groth (WR 17), Omar Assar (WR 18), and Quadri Aruna (WR 19) in the fray, the Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist is aware of the tough challenge ahead.
However, the 31-year-old, currently ranked World No. 70, remains confident, having previously defeated several higher-ranked opponents. He is determined to improve on his performances at the past two WTT Star Contender events in Goa, where he exited in the first round of the main draw.
“Definitely, there is a good chance for Indians, including me, to create upsets and earn some points in this tournament,” said Desai.
Listing his notable victories, Desai highlighted that he has beaten Calderano twice and has also defeated Lim Jonghoon (WR 40), Alvaro Robles (WR 29), and Aruna once. “I was close to beating An Jaehyun (WR 33) last year. So, there are a few players whom I have beaten and a few I came close to winning against. Even if I get a tough draw, there is definitely a chance of an upset. And if I get a preferable draw, I can go even deeper in the tournament. I am aiming for a quarterfinal spot,” he said.
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In men’s doubles, Desai will be partnering with G Sathiyan. The duo, ranked World No. 95, has received a wild card entry.
“We have known each other’s game so well since childhood. We both have a fast, similar-paced style and prefer staying close to the table. It’s really nice, and we have had great results in the past. We won the WTT Contender Tunis in 2021 and remained unbeaten in the doubles event on the way to India winning the men’s team title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, we couldn’t play together long-term. Now, we are getting back to that, and I hope we can achieve good results again,” he said.
Desai will also compete in the mixed doubles, partnering with 21-year-old Yashaswini Ghorpade (WR 80 in women’s singles). He is looking forward to teaming up with her.
“She has great potential. What she has achieved in the last one or two years is incredible,” he said.