The grand finale of WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 Presented by IndianOil delivered an electrifying showdown, as Oh Junsung triumphed over Thibault Poret in a dramatic seven-game battle (9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7) to secure the Men’s Singles title.
Both players had impressed throughout the tournament with their outstanding performances, setting the stage for an unforgettable contest at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. Under the bright lights, the two young talents engaged in a high-intensity duel, showcasing their skill and resilience.
Poret started strongly, taking the opening game with an aggressive approach. However, Oh quickly adjusted his tactics, leveling the match with victories in the second and third games. The momentum seemed to be shifting in the Korean’s favor as he built a commanding 9-5 lead in game four, only for Poret to mount an extraordinary comeback, winning six consecutive points to equalize at two games apiece.
The Frenchman carried that energy into the fifth game, unleashing a flurry of attacking strokes to edge ahead. A well-timed timeout at 6-9 helped him regain focus, and he looked poised for a breakthrough victory. But Oh had other plans. Digging deep, he stormed back in the sixth game, forcing a decisive seventh set.
With emotions running high and the crowd on the edge of their seats, Oh seized control early in the final game, racing to an 8-1 lead. Poret fought valiantly to narrow the gap, but the Korean’s determination proved unshakable. As the final point was won, Oh let out a triumphant roar, sealing his first-ever WTT Star Contender title.
After the match, Oh embraced Poret in a show of mutual respect, recognizing the Frenchman’s remarkable journey to the final. Reflecting on his victory, the 18-year-old Korean expressed both relief and joy:
I trained extremely hard for this event, and it wasn’t always easy. In recent tournaments, I faced some tough early exits, which made this moment even more special. Winning a Star Contender title means a lot to me.
The tournament saw its fair share of surprises, as title favorites Tomokazu Harimoto and Hugo Calderano were both eliminated in the Round of 16. Calderano suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat to Lim Jonghoon, while Harimoto was upset 1-3 by Tomislav Pucar, clearing the path for a new champion to emerge.
Source: WTT