Evgeny Tikhonov-Maria Panfilova (Photo WTT)
The first title of the WTT Contender Almaty 2026 has been decided, with Evgeny Tikhonov-Maria Panfilova taking home their first Mixed Doubles trophy on the WTT Series.
Dropping just one game on their way to the final, Tikhonov-Panfilova were in red-hot form, and they continued exactly where they left off, needing just three games to see off Kazuki Yoshiyama-Yuna Ojio 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 in a little under 17 minutes.
Taking home WTT Feeder Series titles in Doha and Istanbul earlier this season, the Russian pair now own their first WTT Series hardware, a step up in class, reflective of their prowess as a duo.
Tikhonov has also enjoyed a superb week on the Men’s Singles front, working his way through the rounds nicely to reach his first singles semifinal at this level. However, that’s where his breakout run would eventually come to an end, with No.2 seed Simon Gauzy bouncing back from an early deficit to deny Tikhonov 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7.
Meanwhile, it was Miu Hirano who caught the eye over in the day’s Women’s Singles action, upstaging No.2 seed Miyu Nagasaki with a come from behind win over her Japanese compatriot in 4-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7.
Hirano, whose last WTT singles title came back in 2023, is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in Almaty, and now sits just one win away from a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle. But with top seed Hina Hayata awaiting in Sunday’s final, Hirano will need nothing short of her absolute best to get her hands on the main trophy.
