Jeevan, Prashanth Reach Doubles Final at Maha Open ATP Challenger

Pune, India — Top-seeded Indian duo Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth advanced to the doubles final at the Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s Tennis Championship, held at the Balewadi Sports Complex, on February 21. In a thrilling semifinal match, they defeated the Zimbabwean pair of Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Courtney John Lock with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3.

The Indian pair will now face Australia’s second seeds, Blake Bayldon and Matthew Christopher Romios, who overcame Jay Clarke of Great Britain and Jurij Rodionov of Austria in the other semifinal, edging them out 6-3, 3-6, 10-5. The tournament is organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in partnership with the Department of Sports and Youth Services of the Government of Maharashtra.

In an unexpected turn of events, sixth-seeded Brandon Holt from the USA upset top-seeded Billy Harris of Great Britain in the singles quarterfinals, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Holt stated, “It was a tough match, but I kept focusing on each point and it paid off in the end.” He will advance to the semifinals where he will meet the eighth-seeded Alexis Galarneau from Canada, who also secured his place by defeating last year’s champion Valentin Vacherot from Monaco, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).

Holt’s victory marked his third semifinal appearance of the season. His match lasted 1 hour and 59 minutes, showcasing a remarkable comeback after losing the first set.

The other singles semifinal will feature unseeded players Khumoyun Sultanov from Uzbekistan, who shocked fifth-seeded Ugo Blanchet of France with a swift 6-0, 6-2 win, and Dalibor Svrcina from the Czech Republic, who eliminated qualifier Ilia Simakin with a powerful performance, winning 6-1, 6-3.

Results from the quarterfinals include:
Brandon Holt (USA) defeated Billy Harris (GBR) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4;
Khumoyun Sultanov (UZB) defeated Ugo Blanchet (FRA) 6-0, 6-2;
Alexis Galarneau (CAN) defeated Valentin Vacherot (MON) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3);
Dalibor Svrcina (CZE) defeated Ilia Simakin 6-1, 6-3.

In doubles semifinal results, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (IND) and Vijay Sundar Prashanth (IND) claimed victory over Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha (IND) and Courtney John Lock (ZIM) 7-6(5), 6-3. The Australian duo of Blake Bayldon and Matthew Christopher Romios defeated Jay Clarke (GBR) and Jurij Rodionov (AUT) 6-3, 3-6, 10-5.