India’s N. Sriram Balaji and Mexico’s Miguel Reyes-Varela pulled off a massive upset at the ATP 500 Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico, taking down the tournaments second-seeded pair, Sander Gille (Belgium) and Jan Zielinski (Poland), in dominant fashion.
The wildcard duo produced a clinical performance, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory to move into the quarterfinals.
The win is particularly significant given Gille and Zielinski’s strong form in recent weeks. The Belgian-Polish duo had been enjoying a fantastic run on the indoor hard courts of Europe, but once again found themselves struggling in outdoor conditions.
Balaji and Reyes-Varela took full advantage, playing aggressive yet composed tennis to knock out one of the tournament favourites.
Balaji & Reyes-Varela to Face Another Wildcard Pair in QF
After their emphatic Round of 16 victory, Balaji and Reyes-Varela will now face Hans Hach Verdugo (Mexico) and Reese Stalder (USA), another wildcard team, in the quarterfinals. This presents a golden opportunity for the Indo-Mexican duo to push further in the draw, as they avoid a seeded opponent at this stage.
For Balaji, this marks another promising deep run in an ATP 500 tournament, further solidifying his credentials as one of India’s top doubles specialists. Meanwhile, for Reyes-Varela, this is a special moment as he continues his campaign on home soil, with the passionate Mexican crowd firmly behind him.
Acapulco Sees Major Upsets, Top Two Seeds Eliminated
Balaji and Reyes-Varela’s win was just one of the big upsets in Acapulco. The tournament has already seen both top two seeded teams crash out, shaking up the doubles draw significantly.
This wide-open field gives several unseeded teams a chance to make a deep run, including Balaji and Reyes-Varela, who now have a real shot at a semifinal or beyond.
Their quarterfinal clash will be an intriguing battle, with both teams entering as wildcards and eager to continue their dream run.
Balaji & Reyes-Varela’s Recent Form: Mixed Results at Delray Beach
Before arriving in Acapulco, Balaji and Reyes-Varela competed at the ATP 250 Delray Beach Open earlier in February. There, they reached the quarterfinals but fell to the American duo of Mackenzie McDonald and Alex Michelsen, losing 6-7(5), 4-6 in a closely contested match.
Despite the loss, their performance in Delray Beach demonstrated their ability to challenge strong opponents. Now, with a major victory over a top-seeded team in Acapulco, they seem to have carried that momentum into the ATP 500 event.
Balaji’s Steady Rise in Doubles Circuit
For Sriram Balaji, this latest win is another step forward in his doubles career. The Indian player has been making steady progress on the ATP Tour, competing in various ATP 250 and ATP 500 events while climbing the rankings.
Known for his solid net play and aggressive return game, Balaji has been forming strong partnerships with different players over the past year, and his chemistry with Reyes-Varela is proving to be a winning combination.
As he eyes a deep run in Acapulco, a strong performance here could further boost his rankings and provide more opportunities in higher-tier ATP events and Grand Slams.
Whats Next? Quarterfinals Await in Acapulco
With the top seeds out and momentum on their side, Balaji and Reyes-Varela will be looking to make the most of their quarterfinal matchup. A win here would propel them into the semifinals of an ATP 500 event, marking another milestone in their partnership.
As they prepare to take on Hach Verdugo and Stalder, expect another high-intensity match, with the Mexican fans rallying behind their home favorite Reyes-Varela. If Balaji and Reyes-Varela can maintain their form, they have a genuine shot at making an even deeper run in the tournament.
Stay tuned for more updates from the ATP 500 Acapulco!
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