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Upsets, Thrills as Top Seed Crashes Out at WTT Contender Lagos

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

The main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos burst into life on Thursday, July 24, with fireworks and a major upset that sent shockwaves through the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium. Japan’s Hina Hayata, the women’s top seed, bowed out of the $100,000 prize money championship in a stunning opening-day defeat. The day was packed with excitement and powerful rallies as top seeds launched their campaigns. India’s Sreeja Akula, the defending women’s singles champion, made her intentions clear with a commanding performance, while Egypt’s former African champion Dina Meshref also advanced to the second round after a solid first-round win. Akula, who claimed her first WTT Contender title in Lagos in 2024, approached her match with caution and tactical discipline. Her strategy paid off as she delivered the tournament’s first major upset, defeating Hayata in straight sets, 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3), to move into the second round. “I was well-prepared for the match, even though it was my first time playing against her,” Akula said. “She’s the top-ranked player, but I didn’t focus on rankings. I just concentrated on my game, and I’m happy with how I played.” Seeded ninth, Akula described Lagos as a lucky venue, having made history as the first Indian to win a WTT title. “Being the defending champion gives me a lot of confidence. I won both the women’s singles and doubles titles last year. Lagos has been a good hunting ground for me, and I’m really happy to be back. I just want to play my best and enjoy the tournament,” she added. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Hana Goda also made a strong start to her campaign. The 17-year-old, who won her first continental title in Lagos in 2022, came from behind to defeat India’s Roy Krittwika 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7), securing a spot in the round of 16 where she will face Chinese Taipei’s Yi-Tian Yeh. Reflecting on her comeback, Goda said: “My opponent played better than I expected, and I was a bit shocked at the beginning. She took the lead and gained momentum. I’m glad I managed to turn things around, although I’m not satisfied with my performance. I hope to play better in the next round. It’ll be interesting facing Yi-Tian again — we played each other as kids, and maybe this is my chance to get some revenge from those early days.” As the tournament’s third seed, Goda expressed her joy at returning to Lagos: “I love being in Lagos. I have many friends here, and I always feel supported. I was sad I couldn’t come last year, and my 2023 performance wasn’t my best. But Lagos is special to me — it’s where I won my first African title. I hope to put on a better show for the fans this time.”

WTT Contender Lagos 2025 Unveils Stellar Lineup

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

The star-studded line-up for the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos has been officially unveiled, with the tournament set to take place from July 22 to 26 in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital. Widely regarded as one of the most thrilling events in the WTT Contender Series, this year’s edition promises a showcase of elite talent from across the globe. Among the headline acts are women’s world No. 9 Hina Hayata of Japan, African champion Hana Goda of Egypt, and rising French sensation Prithika Pavade. Making her debut in Lagos, the 24-year-old Hayata is seen as a formidable challenger to China’s dominance in women’s table tennis. Ranked as the fourth-highest Japanese player in women’s singles, she is a key figure in Japan’s golden generation. A silver and bronze Olympic medallist, Hayata has consistently delivered top-tier performances, earning multiple podium finishes at both the World and Asian Championships. Known for her powerful left-handed play, Hayata was also the most successful athlete in the ITTF Challenger Series—the precursor to the WTT Series—demonstrating her ability to dominate competitive fields. She enters the Lagos tournament as the highest-ranked women’s singles player and a strong favourite for the title. In the men’s singles category, Danish star Anders Lind returns to Lagos, where he enjoys strong fan support. Lind will be aiming to end his title drought but will face stiff competition from Nigerian ace Quadri Aruna, who missed the 2024 edition due to club commitments. Also joining the men’s line-up are Croatian powerhouse Tomislav Pucar, Japanese prodigy Yuta Tanaka, and Africa’s top junior player, Wassim Essid of Tunisia, who will be looking to make his mark against the world’s best. Meanwhile, Tournament Director Kweku Tandoh has reaffirmed the organisers’ commitment to elevating the event’s profile. “We are determined to keep raising the bar in hosting a world-class tournament. Our goal is not just to maintain standards but to introduce fresh ideas that continue to attract top talent to Lagos,” Tandoh said. He added, “With some of the world’s best players returning and others making their debut based on the tournament’s growing reputation, it’s clear we’re on the right path. We will keep innovating to enhance the sport.” In a major boost, the prize money has been increased to $100,000, up from $75,000. Players will compete across five categories: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Winners in each event will earn 400 ranking points.