Ecuador’s Andres Andrade and Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez were crowned doubles champions at the Morelos Open 2026, defeating India’s Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe in a well-contested final at Estadio Morelos.
The South American duo produced a composed and efficient performance to seal the title in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, in a match that lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The final showcased two contrasting approaches. Andrade and Gomez relied on structure, first-serve efficiency, and sharp positioning at the net, while the Indian pair looked to build momentum through aggressive returns and quick exchanges. Ultimately, it was the South American duo who executed better in decisive moments, particularly under scoreboard pressure.
The opening set set the tone for the contest. Andrade and Gomez applied early pressure on the Bollipalli–Kadhe serve, consistently forcing longer rallies and probing for openings. Their breakthrough came at a crucial juncture, as they secured a timely break of serve that allowed them to establish a 4-2 lead. From there, they maintained control, serving out the set 6-3 with minimal trouble.
For Bollipalli and Kadhe, the first set highlighted the fine margins that often define doubles at this level. While they were competitive in rallies and created half-chances on return, they were unable to convert those into break opportunities. In contrast, Andrade and Gomez capitalised on their limited chances with clinical precision.
The second set, however, saw a marked improvement from the Indian pair. Bollipalli and Kadhe raised their intensity, particularly on serve, where they began to find better rhythm and variation. Their net play also improved, with quicker interceptions and more decisive finishing helping them stay level throughout the set.
As the set progressed, both teams held serve consistently, leading to a tense finish. Bollipalli and Kadhe showed composure under pressure, saving key points and pushing the set into a tiebreak. At this stage, the momentum appeared evenly balanced, with the Indian duo gaining confidence from their improved performance.
However, the tiebreak once again highlighted the experience and composure of Andrade and Gomez. The South American pair managed the critical points more effectively, using a combination of accurate serving and well-timed aggression to edge ahead. They maintained their advantage and eventually closed out the tiebreak, sealing the set 7-6 and with it, the championship.
For Andrade and Gomez, the victory capped off an impressive week in Cuernavaca. Their run to the title was built on consistency, strong communication, and the ability to execute under pressure. Throughout the tournament, they demonstrated a balanced game combining solid baseline support with effective net play which proved decisive in high-stakes moments.
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From an Indian perspective, the performance of Bollipalli and Kadhe remains highly encouraging despite the loss. Reaching the final of an ATP Challenger event reflects their growing presence on the international doubles circuit. Their ability to navigate tight matches, particularly the semifinal where they won both sets in tiebreaks, underlines their potential as a pairing.
In the final, their second-set performance showed clear signs of adaptability and resilience. Pushing a well-drilled pair like Andrade and Gomez to a tiebreak indicates that they are capable of competing at this level consistently. The next step for the Indian duo will be converting such close contests into victories, particularly by improving their efficiency on key points.
The Morelos Open has once again highlighted the depth and competitiveness of the Challenger circuit, where emerging partnerships and established players often collide. For Bollipalli and Kadhe, this run will provide valuable ranking points and, more importantly, confidence heading into upcoming tournaments.
As the doubles event concludes, attention now shifts to the singles final, which will determine the individual champion of the Morelos Open 2026. However, the doubles competition has already delivered its share of high-quality tennis, with Andrade and Gomez emerging as deserving champions after a week of consistent excellence.
For Indian tennis, the takeaway is clear while the title eluded Bollipalli and Kadhe this time, their performance signals a partnership on the rise, capable of making deeper runs and challenging for titles on the global stage.
