India’s Niki Poonacha and Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro capped off a memorable week at the ATP 100 Road to the Rolex Shanghai Masters Challenger with a title-winning performance in the men’s doubles.
The Indo-Thai duo defeated Taiwan’s Jung J and USA’s Robert Stalder in a nail-biting final, clinching the championship with a 6-4, 6-7, [10-8] victory on Saturday. The win marks one of the biggest titles in Kaliyanda Poonacha’s career and adds another highlight to the growing partnership between him and Isaro. The final was as tense as it was entertaining. Poonacha and Isaro started strong, breaking early to take the first set 6-4. Their aggressive returns and sharp net play helped them keep pressure on Jung and Stalder, who struggled to impose themselves in the opener.
The second set, however, turned into a battle of nerves. Both pairs held serve firmly, and with little to separate them, the set headed into a tiebreak. Jung and Stalder raised their game at the right moment, edging the tiebreak to level the match at one set apiece.
That set up a dramatic match tiebreak. With both teams trading mini-breaks, the contest went down to the wire. At 8-8, it was the Indian-Thai duo who held their nerve, winning the last two points to seal the title. The final scoreline 6-4, 6-7, 10-8 reflected just how closely contested the battle was.
Road to the Final
Poonacha and Isaro’s path to the trophy showcased both consistency and resilience. Entering the tournament as an unseeded pair, they were tested across multiple rounds but always found a way through.
- Round of 16: They began their campaign with a straight-sets win against Bar Biryukov P / Zhukayev B. Showing early signs of confidence, the duo came through 7-5, 6-4, handling key pressure points with composure.
- Quarterfinals: Next up was a tough clash against Japanese pair Watanuki Y / Yuzuki T. Once again, Poonacha and Isaro held their ground in crucial moments, winning 6-4, 7-6. Their ability to close out the match in straight sets underlined their momentum.
- Semifinals: The biggest test came against fourth seeds Cui Jie and Te Rigele of China. Playing in front of the home crowd, the Chinese pair pushed them hard, especially in the second set. But Poonacha and Isaro held firm in the tiebreak to win 6-4, 7-6(5), booking their spot in the final.
From there, it was down to one last hurdle, which they cleared in dramatic fashion against Jung and Stalder.
For Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha, this title is another step forward in a career that has steadily been on the rise. The 28-year-old Indian has long been seen as a promising doubles specialist, and his results in Challenger events this year suggest he is beginning to make good on that potential. His partnership with Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro is still relatively new, but it has already started yielding results. The pair complement each other well Poonacha’s strong baseline game and ability to read the net are matched by Isaro’s sharp reflexes and quick positioning.
Together, they have shown they can trouble higher-ranked opponents and grind out wins in tight matches.
Winning a Challenger title at the ATP 100 level is a significant boost in both ranking points and confidence. For Poonacha, it could mean moving closer to breaking into higher echelons of the doubles rankings, giving him opportunities to feature in bigger ATP events and Grand Slam qualifying rounds. The victory also matters for Indian tennis as a whole. With Rohan Bopanna nearing the twilight of his career and other doubles players trying to break through, Poonacha’s success signals a new wave of players beginning to establish themselves on the international doubles circuit.
India has traditionally produced strong doubles players, with Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Rohan Bopanna leading the way in the past. The Challenger circuit has often been the stepping stone for Indian players to transition into ATP Tour success. For Poonacha, titles like these are crucial building blocks in his career trajectory. The week in Shanghai also showcased how Indian players continue to thrive in doubles despite facing stiff global competition. With consistency and the right partnerships, Poonacha has the chance to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors.
After their triumph in Shanghai, Poonacha and Isaro will look to carry their momentum forward. The ATP Challenger calendar continues to offer opportunities, and maintaining form across these events will be vital. The pair’s next test will likely come against stronger seeded teams in upcoming events. How they adapt to higher pressure situations will determine how quickly they can climb the rankings. But with the kind of grit they showed in the Shanghai final especially in that tense 10-8 match tiebreak they have already proven they have the temperament for the big stage.
The Shanghai Challenger final was not just another doubles match it was a showcase of resilience, partnership, and ambition. Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Pruchya Isaro battled through tough opponents, silenced home favorites, and in the end, delivered a thrilling victory against Jung and Stalder to lift the trophy. For Indian tennis fans, Poonacha’s win is another reminder of the depth of talent emerging in doubles. For the Indo-Thai duo, it is hopefully the start of a successful journey together on the ATP Tour.
With momentum on their side, the future looks promising for this partnership.
