FACE2NEWS/PUNE
Indian pair of N. Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan pulled off one of the major upsets of the fifth edition of the Tata Open Maharashtra, beating the No. 2 seed American duo of Jackson Withrow and Nathaniel Lammons 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in the doubles quarter-finals at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
Balaji and Jeevan, who entered the tournament as an alternative entry, put up a sensational show in both the sets which saw close competition before they decided in the tie-breakers.
Jackson Withrow, World No. 49 and Nathaniel Lammons, ranked 46 in the world, gave their all to take the match into the final tie-breaker but the Indians did enough to get the result in their favour at the end of the second set. Balaji and Jeeven ended 2022 with six successive semi-finals appearances at the Challenger events.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the stadium and watched exciting action of the quarter-final matches.
“We could watch great tennis, great matches; and I think it has also created a spirit amongst our youth. Credit again goes to Tata Open Maharashtra. Let me assure you that in the next five years the Maharashtra government will never allow ATP-250 to go anywhere. I am very happy to be here, my best wishes to the tournament, all the players, who are participating and to all who will be watching. This tournament will be a huge success,” said Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
Later tonight, India Ramkumar Ramanathan will be in action in the doubles quarter-finals along with Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela. The duo will face challenge from top-seeded pair of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.
Meanwhile, the 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic pulled out of the singles event after suffering a knee injury as his opponent, Tallon Griekspoor was given a walkover. In the other singles quarter-final, No. 8 Aslan Karatsev pulled off a dominating 6-1, 6-2 victory against the World No. 63 Pedro Martinez.
The tournament will go on till January 7.