Jay Meena scripts history, assures India’s first Asian Games soft tennis medal

Jay Meena scripted a piece of history for India at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, assuring the country of its first-ever medal in soft tennis after reaching the men’s singles semi-finals. Meena edged past the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguit in a gripping quarter-final, winning 4-3 in a contest that went down to the wire. The Indian endured several momentum shifts before sealing victory 0-4, 4-2, 2-4, 5-3, 2-4, 7-5 against his Filipino opponent. His place in the last four guarantees Meena a medal, with all four semi-finalists assured of a podium finish. The achievement also means India will return from the Asian Games with its maiden medal in soft tennis. Meena will now turn his attention to the semi-finals, with a place in the gold medal match within his reach as he looks to extend his remarkable run in Aichi-Nagoya. India also had encouraging developments in shooting on Wednesday, with two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker progressing to the women’s 10m air pistol individual final. Bhaker produced a strong qualification performance to secure her place in the medal round, although fellow Indian shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Esha Singh could not make the cut for the final. [Image text:] NOY BORNAN ND-5 IEENA