The grass-court season officially kicked off in Stuttgart with high-stakes action at the ATP 250 Stuttgart event.
For Indian tennis fans, Day 2 brought a mix of promise and heartbreak as two different Indian doubles pairs took to the courts with contrasting outcomes.
Balaji/Reyes-Varela Push Second Seeds to the Brink but Fall Short
India’s N. Sriram Balaji, partnering with Mexico’s Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela, exited the tournament in the opening round after a hard-fought battle against the No. 2 seeded French duo of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul. The Indo-Mexican pair went down 6-7(5), 6-3, [5-10] in a match that showcased both resilience and quality.
The opening set was an intense baseline and net battle, with neither side giving an inch. Balaji and Reyes-Varela held their own against the experienced Frenchmen, taking the first set to a tie-break. A few unforced errors at key points cost them the breaker 5-7.
However, the unseeded pair bounced back in the second set with renewed aggression, breaking early and keeping up the pressure to seal the set 6-3. Their energy and synergy looked to have shifted the momentum, but the super tie-break told a different story.
Despite taking a mini-lead early in the decider, Balaji and Reyes-Varela were unable to maintain the rhythm. Doumbia and Reboul, known for their late-match nerves and solid court coverage, rallied back to take the super tie-break 10-5 and book their place in the quarterfinals.
While the result didn’t go their way, Balaji and Reyes-Varela can take confidence from their ability to push a top-seeded pair deep, especially on a surface like grass that demands sharp reflexes and close coordination.
Bopanna/Gille Start Strong, Enter Stuttgart QFs
In contrast, Rohan Bopanna, making his return to the tour after a brief break, found immediate success in his new partnership with Belgian Sander Gille. Playing together for the first time, the Indo-Belgian duo overcame local wildcards Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner 6-3, 5-7, [11-9] in a thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The first set saw Bopanna and Gille dominate on serve and take advantage of loose returns from the Germans. A single break was enough to wrap it up 6-3, with Bopanna’s experience at the net proving crucial in closing out points quickly.
However, the home pair responded in the second set with better serving and a more aggressive approach from the baseline. With the set level at 5-5, a lapse in concentration from the Indo-Belgian pair allowed the Germans to steal a break and serve out the set 7-5.
The super tie-break was a tense affair, with both teams exchanging leads. Bopanna’s clutch serving under pressure and Gille’s sharp reflexes at the net eventually helped them edge out the Germans 11-9, sealing their place in the quarterfinals.
This win is an encouraging start for the duo, who bring contrasting but complementary styles to the court Bopanna’s power and volleying prowess matched by Gille’s consistency and doubles instincts.
Next Up: A Stern Test Awaits
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for Bopanna and Gille. They now face the challenge of taking on the unseeded but dangerous pairing of Taylor Fritz (USA) and Márton Fucsovics (Hungary) in the quarterfinals. While both Fritz and Fucsovics are primarily singles players, their athleticism and shot-making could pose a unique threat, particularly on grass where serve and return games often dominate.
For Bopanna, this event also marks valuable preparation ahead of Wimbledon. With the Olympic Games looming and partnerships being closely monitored, this stint with Gille could open doors if results continue in their favor.
While Balaji’s campaign came to a close in Stuttgart, his performance alongside Reyes-Varela showed the depth and competitiveness of India’s doubles contingent. On the other hand, Bopanna’s successful debut with Gille sets up an intriguing next round and perhaps a fruitful short-term pairing for the grass season.
As Indian tennis transitions from clay to grass, signs of momentum are beginning to emerge — and with Bopanna still going strong, fans have every reason to stay tuned.
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