Hashimoto, Akula reach WTT Contender Lagos final after semi-final triumphs

Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto and India’s Sreeja Akula have advanced to the final of the WTT Contender Lagos after winning their respective women’s singles semi-final matches in impressive fashion.

The ongoing tournament, taking place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, saw Hashimoto, world number 19, defeat Chinese Taipei’s Yeh Yi-Tian in straight sets (11–3, 11–8, 11–1). Her dominant defensive play proved too strong for Yeh, as Hashimoto secured a 3–0 win and booked her spot in the final.

Meanwhile, defending champion and world number 57, Sreeja Akula of India, edged out France’s Prithika Pavade in a five-set thriller (11–7, 11–4, 13–11, 6–11, 11–9). The match was marked by powerful rallies and narrow margins, but Akula held her composure to reach the final once again.

The two finalists will now compete for the tournament title later today, following a semi-final round filled with high-level table tennis action and intense competition.