In a stunning display of grit and determination, unfancied Indian tennis duo Rithvik Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe etched their names in the annals of the Almaty Open ATP tournament, emerging victorious in the doubles final. The pair, defying the odds, pulled off a remarkable comeback from five match points down to secure a thrilling 3-6, 7-6(3), [14-12] win over the formidable duo of Nicolas Barrientos and Skander Mansouri.
This maiden doubles title at this level for both Bollipalli and Kadhe marks a significant milestone in their careers. Their triumph will propel them into the coveted top-100 rankings of the ATP doubles standings when the next list is released on Monday. The championship, which came with a handsome prize of $54,780 and 250 ATP points, underscored their meteoric rise in the world of tennis. Their opponents, the runner-up team, received 150 points and $29,310.
Coach M Balachandran, witnessing the duo’s incredible journey from the sidelines, couldn’t contain his pride, stating, “Our boys were absolute underdogs from the first round to the finals. So, a big win for them. In fact, Rithvik won his first Tour event match in this tournament.” He further elaborated on the sheer intensity of the final, emphasizing, “Mansouri served at 9-6, and they had two more match points. To win 14-12 in a super tie-break in their first final was unbelievable. Rithvik and Arjun had to play some incredible tennis to achieve it.”
Balachandran highlighted the duo’s steady progress throughout the tournament, praising their commitment to constant improvement. “They improved every match and stuck to the process of working on their game, individually and as a team. After every match, we worked on certain areas and they executed it well in the subsequent match, which I think was the key to their success,” he said.
The coach was particularly impressed with their tactical execution and near flawless performance in the semifinals. Their quarterfinal victory over the second-seeded French pair of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul was another crucial turning point in their campaign.
The Almaty Open doubles final saw the Indian duo display incredible resilience, showcasing the power of teamwork and determination. Their victory is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and ability to perform under pressure. Bollipalli and Kadhe have undoubtedly made their mark on the international tennis scene, and their future looks incredibly bright.