Saketh Myneni stumbled a step before the final in men’s singles at the KPIT-MSLTA ATP Challenger, then recovered his poise and form to clinch the doubles title, partnering Sanam Singh at the Shiv Chhatrapati Tennis Complex.
The pair shared $3100 and gained 90 points each, winning 6-3, 6-2 against the top-seeded pair of Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana from Thailand.
Japan’s tireless Yuichi Sugita won the first semifinal against the big-serving Indian 7-6(6), 6-4.
He runs into a tough final opponent in Spain Adrian Menendez Maceras, whose wristy strokeplay and kick-serve clinched the intense second semifinal against Belgium’s Kimmer Coppejans.
“I had my chances, but he played the key points well,” said Saketh.Saketh faced difficulty against a rival prepared to chase down everything. Sugita was down 0-3 and 3-5 in the first set, both times he clawed back and drew level. In the tie-break, the Japanese saved a set-point at 5-6 to win the set and nose ahead.
The first set loss appeared to be playing on the Indian’s mind and fatigue took over in the second.
He showed a spark till 4-4 but was broken again in the 10th by the confident Japanese. Saketh gained 33 ATP points and $ 510 from the singles, going below 250 for the first time in his career, will finish at 243 after two Challenger weeks.
“Singles is priority. We were having fun in the doubles,” said the lanky Indian.
His fierce serves and Sanam’s service returns and volleying proved a potent combination against the Ratiwatana twins.
The results:
Semifinals: Yuichi Sugita (Jpn) bt Saketh Myneni (Ind) 7-6(6), 6-4; Adrian Menendez Maceiras (Esp) bt Kimmer Coppejans (Bel) 7-5, 7-6 (4).
Doubles final: Saketh Myneni & Sanam Singh (Ind) bt Sanchai Ratiwatana & Sonchat Ratiwatana (Tha) 6-3, 6-2.
