Niki Poonacha and Saketh Myneni Clinch Bengaluru Challenger Doubles Title
Indian tennis duo Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Saketh Myneni captured the ATP Bengaluru Challenger doubles title after a commanding straight-set victory in the final at the Karnataka Open.
The Indian pair defeated Kazakhstan’s Petr Bar Biryukov and Grigoriy Lomakin 6-2, 6-3 in the summit clash to secure their maiden title together as a team. For Saketh Myneni, the triumph marked the 21st ATP Challenger doubles title of his career, further strengthening his reputation as one of India’s most accomplished doubles specialists on the Challenger circuit. For Niki Poonacha, it was the ninth Challenger doubles crown and another important milestone in his steady rise on the professional tour.
Poonacha and Myneni looked in complete control throughout the final. The Indian pair combined aggressive serving with sharp net play to dominate key exchanges against the Kazakh duo. After establishing an early break in the opening set, they never allowed their opponents to settle into rhythm.
The first set was wrapped up 6-2 with efficient hold games and consistent pressure on return. The second set followed a similar pattern. While Biryukov and Lomakin attempted to raise their level and extend rallies, the Indian duo maintained composure during important points and capitalised on crucial break opportunities to close out the match 6-3.
The straight-set victory underlined how well the partnership functioned throughout the tournament despite being a relatively new pairing.
One of the biggest positives from the week was the chemistry shown by Poonacha and Myneni as a team. Although both players possess extensive doubles experience individually, this was their first Challenger title together. Their styles complemented each other effectively across the tournament. Myneni brought his experience, powerful serve, and net presence, while Poonacha added sharp movement and consistency from the baseline during longer exchanges.
The partnership steadily improved through each round and appeared increasingly confident as the tournament progressed. The Indian pair produced several impressive performances en route to the title. In the semifinals, they defeated fellow Indians S. Dev and N. Sinha after a highly competitive contest. After losing the opening set, Poonacha and Myneni responded strongly to win 1-6, 7-5, 10-6 in the match tiebreak.
That comeback victory proved particularly important because it tested the pair under genuine pressure for the first time during the tournament. Earlier in the competition, they also secured a notable win over the fourth-seeded Japanese combination of K. Isomura and R. Matsuda in straight sets.
The quarterfinals saw another all-Indian clash, where they overcame wildcard entrants S. Rawat and M. Sureshkumar. Across the tournament, the Indian duo demonstrated consistency in both serving and returning, often taking control of matches through aggressive positioning at the net.
For Saketh Myneni, the Bengaluru title adds yet another achievement to an already impressive doubles career. The 37-year-old has remained one of India’s most reliable Challenger-level doubles players over the past decade. His 21 Challenger doubles titles now place him among the most successful Indian players on the ATP Challenger circuit.
Myneni’s longevity continues to stand out. Even at this stage of his career, he remains highly competitive physically and tactically, particularly in doubles where experience and positioning often become decisive advantages.
His ability to mentor younger Indian players while continuing to compete successfully also remains valuable for Indian tennis overall.
For Niki Poonacha, the title carries additional significance. The Karnataka player has steadily established himself as one of India’s strongest doubles specialists in recent seasons, and winning a home Challenger event further strengthens his confidence moving forward.
This latest triumph marks his ninth Challenger doubles title and continues his upward momentum on the ATP circuit. Importantly, performances like these can also positively influence rankings, helping Indian players gain access to higher-level ATP events and stronger competition.
The Bengaluru Challenger once again highlighted India’s continued strength in doubles tennis. While Indian singles tennis has struggled to consistently produce top-level ATP results in recent years, doubles remains an area where Indian players continue to find success internationally. Historically, India has enjoyed a strong doubles tradition through players like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, and Divij Sharan.
The current generation, led by experienced names such as Saketh Myneni alongside rising doubles specialists like Niki Poonacha, continues that legacy at the Challenger level. Winning in Bengaluru also carries emotional significance for both players. Home tournaments often come with additional pressure due to expectations and familiarity, but they also provide valuable crowd support and visibility for Indian tennis domestically.
For younger Indian players watching the event, seeing Indian combinations succeed at Challenger-level tournaments remains important for the sport’s ecosystem.
The ATP Challenger Tour serves as a critical pathway toward higher ATP-level competition. Strong performances at Challenger events help players improve rankings, build confidence, and gain valuable match experience against international opposition. For Poonacha and Myneni, this title could potentially encourage further collaboration as a team moving forward.
Given the quality they displayed throughout the week, the partnership appears capable of competing effectively at higher-level Challenger tournaments as well. Ultimately, the Bengaluru Challenger delivered an encouraging outcome for Indian tennis fans. A home title, an all-Indian semifinal presence, and strong performances from multiple domestic players reflected the depth of doubles talent currently present within the Indian circuit.
Most importantly, Poonacha and Myneni showed composure, tactical clarity, and strong teamwork throughout the tournament.
In Bengaluru, Indian doubles tennis once again proved that it remains one of the country’s most dependable strengths on the international stage.
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