Indian tennis witnessed an exciting new pairing emerge at the M15 Bhubaneswar event, as Rohan Mehra and Madhwin Kamath produced a superb run to finish as runners-up in the men’s doubles.
What made their performance stand out wasn’t just the quality of tennis, but the fact that this was their first tournament together a partnership that clicked instantly and delivered a memorable campaign marked by upsets, composure, and high-quality shot-making.
Despite having no prior experience as a pair, Mehra and Kamath navigated their way to the final with wins over the second and fourth seeds, showcasing a blend of big serving, sharp net play, and tactical clarity. Their journey to the title clash had all the traits of a breakthrough week and hinted at a promising future for the young Indian duo.
A Strong Start Against the No. 2 Seeds
Their opening-round match set the tone for the week. Facing the second-seeded combination of Dev Javia and Grigory Lomakin, Mehra and Kamath delivered a composed and disciplined performance to win 6-4, 7-6(4). The first set saw them control tempo early, mixing deep returns with timely poaching at the net. In the second set, the pressure intensified as both teams held firm on serve, but the Indian pair showed greater consistency in the tiebreak to seal the straight-sets victory.
Beating the No. 2 seeds in their first match together instantly established them as a team to watch. It also boosted their confidence for the battles ahead.
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Their quarterfinal match turned out to be one of the most competitive of their campaign. Mehra and Kamath were pushed to a match tiebreak by the Indian pair of Digvijay Pratap Singh and Jagmeet Singh, eventually winning 7-6(4), 2-6, 10-7.
The first set tiebreak showed their ability to handle tight moments, but the second set belonged to their opponents, who raised their return quality and targeted seams effectively. The match tiebreak, however, brought the best out of Mehra and Kamath. With bold first serves and aggressive net play, they regained the momentum and closed out the decider 10-7, securing their spot in the semis.
This win highlighted their resilience especially for a new pairing still navigating on-court chemistry and communication.
Upsetting the No. 4 Seeds in the Semifinals
Their semifinal win over the fourth-seeded pair of Ishaque Eqbal and Kabir Hans was a statement performance. Mehra and Kamath produced a strong all-round display to win 7-5, 6-2.
The opening set was tight, with both pairs holding serve solidly until Mehra and Kamath broke late through proactive returning and Kamath’s sharp reflexes at the net. Riding that momentum, the Indian duo dominated the second set. Their serve-return patterns were sharper, their movement more synchronized, and their ability to close out points at the net increasingly effective. This victory sent them into their maiden final an impressive achievement given the competitive field and the strength of their opponents.
A Final That Slipped Away
In the championship match, Mehra and Kamath faced the top seeds S D Prajwal Dev and Siddhant Banthia, experienced campaigners with a strong track record on the Indian ITF circuit. Despite a spirited effort, the debutant duo fell 6-7(5), 2-6. The opening set was highly competitive. Mehra and Kamath matched the top seeds in baseline exchanges and held their serves confidently. The tiebreak, however, tilted in favour of the top seeds as Dev and Banthia seized the crucial mini-breaks with cleaner execution under pressure.
The second set saw momentum stay with the favourites. Dev and Banthia raised their first-serve percentage and targeted the middle effectively, disrupting the younger pair’s rhythm. Though Mehra and Kamath fought hard, the top seeds’ experience in closing out big matches proved decisive.
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Finishing runners-up in their first outing together is a significant achievement for Rohan Mehra and Madhwin Kamath. Their week in Bhubaneswar revealed a partnership built on complementary strengths Mehra’s composure from the back and Kamath’s sharpness at the net and a competitive spirit that carried them through multiple tiebreaks and seeded opponents.
Their run featured:
- A first-round upset of the No. 2 seeds
- A gritty match-tiebreak win in the quarterfinal
- A dominant semifinal performance against the No. 4 seeds
- A fiercely contested first set in the final against the top seeds
While they fell just short of the title, their performance signals potential for further success on the ITF doubles circuit. If they choose to continue as a pair, Indian tennis may have found another promising team capable of building consistency and climbing the rankings together.
For now, their runner-up finish at M15 Bhubaneswar marks a breakthrough one that demonstrates both their individual talent and the exciting promise of this new partnership.
