Singapore, 26 February (H.S.): Indian table tennis prodigies Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar scripted sporting immortality by storming into the semifinals of the WTT Singapore Smash, emerging as the first Indian men's doubles pair to conquer the summit of a Grand Smash event.

Sixth seeds Manush-Manav dismantled Belgium's Martin Allegro and Adrien Rassenfosse 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-9) in a clinical 27-minute masterclass, elevating their head-to-head ledger to 2-0. The Belgians had stunned top seeds en route, yet succumbed to India's unerring precision and tactical supremacy.

Awaiting in Friday's semis: France's formidable fourth-seeded siblings Felix Lebrun and Alexis Lebrun, a blockbuster clash for final glory. Manush's day soured earlier as his mixed doubles tryst with Diya Chitale fizzled 0-3 (6-11, 9-11, 5-11) against Brazil's third seeds Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi.

World No. 5 duo's feat catapults Indian doubles into elite echelons, blending consistency, shot variety, and nerves of steel at table tennis's pinnacle outside Olympics.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar