Indian tennis continues to ride a wave of doubles success on the ATP circuit, and the latest chapter was written in emphatic fashion. The unseeded duo of Rithvik Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe pulled off a sensational upset at the ATP 250 Metz, toppling the tournament’s No.1 seeds Jan Zieliński (Poland) and André Göransson (Sweden) 3-6, 6-3, [10-7] to advance to the quarterfinals.
The win marks one of the biggest results of Bollipalli and Kadhe’s careers a statement performance that showcased both their composure under pressure and their growing chemistry as a team. Facing a pair with multiple ATP titles and deep experience on tour, the Indians displayed tactical precision and mental fortitude to turn the match around after dropping the first set.
From the very beginning, the top-seeded pair of Zieliński and Göransson looked to impose their authority. Their experience in high-pressure situations especially Zieliński’s success at Masters and Grand Slam level alongside Hugo Nys was evident as they dominated the first set 6-3.
The Pol-Swedish combination served big, recording six aces to none from their opponents, and won 77% of their first-serve points. They broke Bollipalli and Kadhe early and kept control with relentless net play and precise poaching. The Indians, while steady on serve, couldn’t find rhythm on return, managing just 30% of points on the opposition’s first serve.
But if the first set was about survival, the second set belonged to Bollipalli and Kadhe — and their ability to adapt.
Indians Turn the Tide with Smart Adjustments
Realizing that out-hitting the top seeds from the baseline was futile, the Indian duo smartly changed gears. Kadhe, known for his sharp volleys and quick movement, began to cut off more at the net, while Bollipalli’s serve placement started finding better accuracy. The tactical shift worked. Bollipalli’s first serve percentage climbed to 70%, and the pair became far more effective behind their second serves winning an incredible 88% of points on second delivery compared to just 30% from their opponents. This turnaround was the cornerstone of their comeback.
They broke Göransson’s serve midway through the second set with a brilliant combination: a well-angled return from Kadhe followed by Bollipalli’s reflex volley at the net. That single break was enough. Serving for the set at 5-3, Bollipalli held firm, sealing it 6-3 to force a decider.
The Match Tiebreak: Composure Under Pressure
In ATP 250 doubles, deciding sets are played as 10-point match tiebreaks and that format often rewards the pair with greater mental strength. Both teams started cautiously, trading mini-breaks in the early stages, but the Indians’ fearless aggression soon tilted the momentum. Bollipalli’s return of serve on the deuce side repeatedly troubled Zieliński, while Kadhe produced two key interceptions at 6-6 and 8-6 that proved decisive.
A final unreturnable serve from Bollipalli closed the match 3-6, 6-3, [10-7] triggering fist pumps and smiles from the Indian bench. It wasn’t just an upset it was a show of confidence from two players still carving their place on the ATP stage.
By the Numbers: A Tale of Tactical Mastery
While the stats painted a picture of contrast, they also told a story of momentum.
- Aces: Zieliński/Göransson hit 6 to India’s 3, yet failed to capitalize in key moments.
- Double Faults: Bollipalli/Kadhe made none, maintaining composure throughout, while the top seeds committed 3.
- Second Serve Points Won: The Indians’ 88% success rate on second serve stood out as the match’s turning point.
- Break Points: Rajasthan-based Kadhe and Hyderabad-born Bollipalli saved 3 of 4 break points (75%) while converting one crucial break that defined the second set.
Those numbers underline how the Indians neutralized the top seeds’ first-strike tennis by playing percentage-based, intelligent doubles serving wide, attacking the middle, and using poaches to unsettle rhythm.
A Breakthrough Moment for Indian Doubles
This victory adds to a growing list of Indian doubles upsets on the ATP Tour this season. While India continues to search for singles breakthroughs, the doubles circuit has remained a fertile ground for emerging partnerships. For Bollipalli, currently ranked outside the ATP top 150 in doubles, and Kadhe, who has been grinding through ITF and Challenger events, this result could mark a turning point. The pair’s complementary styles Bollipalli’s baseline consistency and Kadhe’s sharp net instincts mirror the chemistry once seen in legendary Indian partnerships like Paes-Bhupathi and Bopanna-Qureshi.
The win also carries symbolic weight a reminder that Indian doubles, with the right blend of belief and tactics, can still challenge and defeat top-tier European teams on indoor hard courts, traditionally less favorable for Indian players.
The Indian duo now moves into the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the clash between Czech pair Petr Nouza and Andrew Riki versus the Ecuadorian-American team of Diego Hidalgo and Nathaniel Trhac. Regardless of the opponent, Bollipalli and Kadhe have already made their mark in Metz. Their fearless comeback against the top seeds sends a clear message Indian tennis remains alive and ambitious on the global doubles map.
If they can maintain this level of aggression and composure, a semifinal run or even more may not be out of reach.
Final Score:🇮🇳 Rithvik Bollipalli/Arjun Kadhe def. 🇵🇱 Jan Zieliński/🇸🇪 André Göransson 3-6, 6-3, [10-7]
A night to remember for Indian tennis in Metz.
