ITTF Singles World Cup 2024: Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula in tough group

Indian table tennis stars Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula were handed tough draws at the ITTF Singles World Cup, from April 15 to 21 at Galaxt Arena in Macao. Currently ranked No. 38 in singles, Manika Batra was drawn in Group 2, whereas World No. 4 Sreeja Akula was drawn in Group 4.

Manika, who is having a tough time in recent days, will face World No.2 Wangg Manyu of China and World No. 45 Adina Diaconu of Roamnia in the first stage.

Since creating history in the Asian Games in China, where she became the first Indian to reach the Single's quarter-finals, Mnaika has had some tough times.

Manika recently made a first-stage exit in WTT Champions in Incheon and then failed to earn an Olympic quota for India in the World Mixed Doubles Table Tennis Olympic Qualifiers in Czechia this week alongside Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.

On the other hand, 25-year-old Sreeja Akula, currently ranking 4 in the world, will go against defending champion and World No.4 Chen Meng of China and World no 51 Natalia Bajor of Poland. Sreeja will surely be looking to dethrone Manika as India's No.1 in Women's singles but will have her task cut out.

However, Sreeja will be confident to do some great things at the ITTF Singles World Cup Men's and Women's after her recent performances. Sreeja won two titles at the WTT Feeder Corpus Christi and WTT Feeder Beirut II in 2024.

Tournament format

There will be a total of 16 groups in the men's and women's categories at the tournament with an extended number of 48 players in both two categories. There are three players in each group in both men's and women's categories. 

Only one player from each group will move to the next round, which will played in a knockout format. So, since there will be only one player moving out from the first stage, it will be really tough for the Indian paddlers to beat the higher-ranked players and move to the next stage.

Both Manika and Sreeja will be participating at the Paris Olympics 2024 as well in the singles and team events. So, a good performance in this tournament will surely boost their confidence ahead of the big event in July. 

How many Indians will play at the IITF Singles World Cup?

Only Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula have qualified for the World Cup and one male tennis player from India has qualified for the tournament.

Tournament prize money

The winners of the ITTF Singles World Cup 2024 will receive trophies along with a $1,000,000 cash prize.