Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha Wins Brest Challenger Doubles Title, Claims Eighth ATP Challenger Crown

India's Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha added another significant milestone to his professional tennis career, winning the men's doubles title at the ATP Challenger 100 Brest Challenger in France alongside Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. 

The second-seeded combination defeated top seeds N. Sriram Balaji of India and Evan King of the United States in a closely contested final, winning 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 10-7. The triumph marks Poonacha's eighth ATP Challenger doubles title and his 14th overall career title. It also takes him to a new career-high doubles ranking of World No. 73, reflecting his continued progress on the professional circuit.

The final, played on indoor hard courts, lasted one hour and 57 minutes and required the champions to negotiate two closely fought sets before producing a decisive performance in the match tie-break.

The championship match brought together the tournament's top two seeded pairs. Poonacha and Escobar entered as the second seeds, while Balaji and King were the top seeds and had been among the strongest combinations throughout the tournament.

The opening set was tightly contested, with neither pair managing to establish a decisive advantage. Both combinations held their service games, taking the contest into a tie-break. Poonacha and Escobar handled the crucial points better, securing the tie-break 7-4 to take the first set 7-6.

Balaji and King responded in the second set, maintaining their composure and pushing the match towards another tie-break. This time, the top seeds came out on top, winning it 7-4 to level the match at one set apiece.

With the title to be decided by a match tie-break, the pressure was firmly on both combinations. The deciding phase remained close, with the score reaching 7-7. Poonacha and Escobar then raised their level at the most important moment, winning the final three points to seal the tie-break 10-7 and claim the championship.

An important feature of their performance was their service consistency. The champions held all 12 of their service games during the final, ensuring that Balaji and King had to work hard for every opportunity. Their ability to maintain that discipline under pressure proved decisive.

Poonacha and Escobar's title run was built on efficient performances across the tournament.

As the second seeds, they received an on-site bye into the quarterfinals. Their first scheduled match was against the French combination of Felix Balshaw and Matteo Martineau, but their opponents withdrew before the contest, allowing the Indo-Ecuadorian pair to advance by walkover.

The semifinal presented a more substantial challenge. Poonacha and Escobar faced Ivan Liutarevich of Belarus and Joshua Paris of Great Britain, the third-seeded combination. The second seeds produced a controlled performance, winning 6-4, 6-4 to book their place in the final. They saved all three break points they faced and converted one break in each set. That ability to protect their own service games while capitalising on opportunities against their opponents proved central to the straight-sets victory.

The semifinal result set up a final against Balaji and King, who had also progressed through their side of the draw to earn a place in the championship match.

Another milestone for Indian doubles tennis

The Brest title adds to Poonacha's growing collection of doubles achievements and reinforces his position as one of India's established players on the Challenger circuit. Winning eight ATP Challenger doubles titles is an important accomplishment, particularly in a discipline where partnerships, communication and tactical understanding play a significant role. Poonacha's ability to combine successfully with international partners has been an important part of his progress.

His partnership with Escobar proved particularly effective in Brest. The pair demonstrated consistency in the semifinal, resilience in the final and the composure required to deliver in the decisive match tie-break. The victory also carries ranking significance. Poonacha's new career-high position of World No. 73 represents another step forward and gives him a stronger platform as he continues his campaign on the professional doubles circuit.

For Indian tennis, the result is another encouraging achievement in men's doubles. Balaji's presence in the final also meant India had representation on both sides of the championship contest, although the title ultimately went to Poonacha and his Ecuadorian partner.

The Brest Challenger final was decided by fine margins. Two tie-breaks, all 12 service games held by the eventual champions and a match tie-break that remained level at 7-7 illustrated how closely matched the two combinations were.

Poonacha and Escobar, however, delivered when the championship was on the line. Winning the final three points of the deciding tie-break completed a hard-earned victory and secured another title for the partnership.

For Poonacha, the eighth ATP Challenger doubles crown and 14th overall title represent another important chapter in his career. With a new career-high ranking of 73, the Indian will look to build on the momentum generated in France.

The Brest title was not just another trophy. It was a demonstration of composure, consistency and the ability to deliver under pressure when the margins are smallest.