New Delhi, June 17: Unseeded Harmeet Desai is on a song. After surprising everyone with an unexpected run and victory over top-seed Korean Jang Woojin in the pre-quarterfinals yesterday, the Indian sent World No. 26 Peng Xiang from China packing 3-1 (11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-1) and reaching the medal rounds in the ongoing WTT Contender at Lagos today.

The No. 134 ranked Indian proved today that yesterday's win over the Korean was no fluke when he took on the 20-year-old Chinese and a favourite against the Indian. 

The 29-year-old Indian had the measure of the youngster and won with east his first game. Known for playing an attacking game, the Chinese fought back well in the second when the Indian paddler made several unforced errors. But soon, Harmeet hit the groove and proved a point to go 2-1 up. In the fourth game, world No. 134 gave a few lessons in service and attack to the young Chinese and made him a mere spectator to emerge on top.

"It was another fantastic win for me after I won the quarterfinals. My form is good, and I hope to continue the way in the semifinals against German Dimitrij Ovtcharov, world No. 14," said Harmeet. "It will be a tough match, but I will try my best," he added.

Earlier, Manav Thakkar, Archana Kamath and Reeth Rishya also put up a good show before bowing out.

Harmeet topples No. 1 seed Woojin, enters quarters

New Delhi, June 16. India’s Harmeet Desai has found a home in Lagos after the unseeded star edged out the top seed Jang Woojin of Korea 13-11, 11-4, 11-7 to enter the quarterfinals at the ongoing WTT Contender at Lagos today.

Since his advent in WTT events, Harmeet has never made it to the quarterfinal, but the Indian padder is now among the elite players in the last eight of the men’s singles.

Indian began his run from the preliminary stages where he edged out Frenchman Joe Seyfried 3-0 and inched close to the main draw. Then he dug deep to beat compatriot Jeet Chandra 3-1 to earn his place in the main draw.

In the main draw, he was up against Lubomir Pistej but ended the Slovak veteran’s dream at 3-1. In the second round, he faced the No. 1 seed Jang Woojin, considered a big headache for the Indian star. But Harmeet took everybody by surprise when he beat Woojin 3-0 to move into the quarterfinals.

“It was quite a very good match today against Woojin. I knew he was a tough opponent, and I played him for the second time. I had ideas and strategies that I would try to put pressure on from the first ball. This is the first time I’m playing quarterfinals in the WTT Contender, and I’ve been lucky in Lagos, and I hope I can continue my form in this tournament to go further,” he said.