WTT Vadodara 2026: 'Opportunity to Prove Ourselves' - Sarthak, Hardee ecstatic after beating seeded pair Snehit, Sayali in Mixed Doubles Qualifiers

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Sarthak Arya and Hardee Patel edged out seeded pair Snehit Suravajjula and Sayali Wani 3-2 in a gripping Mixed Doubles Qualifying Round 1 clash at the WTT Feeder Vadodara 2026 on Wednesday (January 7).

Played at Sama Indoor Sports Complex, the 38-minute battle saw Arya and Patel rally from a game down to secure victory with game scores of 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10.

Suravajjula and Wani stormed to a commanding 11-5 first-game win, dominating early with aggressive serves and precise returns. Arya and Patel hit back in Game 2, clawing from 0-3 to level at 11-9 after a tense deuce, showcasing improved net play and Patel's steady defense.

The match swung wildly in the final game, tied 10-10 after mutual timeouts. Arya/Patel seized match point at 11-10, but Suravajjula/Wani forced deuce. After a service swap, Arya clinched it on his serve to register a massive victory.

After the win, MyKhel had a talk with the pair, where they expressed their happiness after beating such a formidable pair.

"We are very happy. They are seniors and have much more experience than us. We knew that we had to give our best, and Sarthak kept on telling me to play freely," Hardee said.

Sarthak acknowledged the opportunities the feeder event brings to the youngsters. The energetic player also got a warning from the umpire for uttering the word 'Cho Le' too loudly, which is a common phrase in Table Tennis used by players to keep themselves motivated.

"I scream because it helps me calm down. Sometimes under pressure, I shout so I can remain focused. I can say to myself that 'I am in the match'. I keep reminding myself that I have to fight and let the opponent know that as well."

Hardee credited her partner for being vocal and a motivator on the mat, as the duo now enter the main round of the feeder event. Hardee, who started her journey as an 8-year-old, understands the challenge ahead and wants to learn as much as possible. Sarthak, whose roots are in the Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, believes it's an opportunity to prove their credentials.