Chennai, Mar 26 (UNI) Pairing up for Mixed Doubles, Asian Games medallist Ayhika Mukherjee and reigning three-time National Youth Champion Ankur Bhattacharjee sealed their place in the main draw of the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, overcoming Anirban Ghosh and Swastika Ghosh in a thrilling five-game battle on Wednesday, Day 2 of Qualifying.

Twice rallying from a game down, Ayhika and Ankur fought back with the former’s sharp defense and the latter’s blistering forehand winners, sealing victory in a tense decider. Ankur later teamed up with Payas Jain in Men’s Doubles Qualifying, stunning top seeds John Oyebode and Carlo Rossi of Italy 3-1 in the day’s biggest upset.