India’s Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro are now just one step away from earning a coveted main-draw wildcard for the 2026 Australian Open after a commanding semifinal victory at the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff in Chengdu.
The second-seeded Indo-Thai pair delivered one of their most assured performances of the week, defeating South Korea’s fourth seeds Park Ui-seong and Nam Ji-sung 6-4, 6-2 to enter the final.
Their run, built on consistency, chemistry, and tactical clarity, now sets up a title clash against Japan’s fifth-seeded duo Seita Kusuhara and Katsuki Nakagawa a match that will decide who secures the precious Melbourne wildcard.
A semifinal performance full of authority
Coming into the semifinals, Poonacha and Isaro had shown steady improvement across rounds, but against Park and Nam both highly experienced doubles specialists the pair needed to bring their best level. They did exactly that.
The first game was tight, with both teams holding serve comfortably early on. The Koreans looked intent on taking control at the net, but the Indo-Thai combination countered with sharp returns and proactive mid-court pressure. At 4-4, Poonacha produced a brilliant backhand return winner to earn the first break of the match. Isaro then served out the set at 6-4 with composure, sealing a crucial early advantage.
If the first set was about precision, the second set was about dominance. Poonacha and Isaro broke serve twice, raced to a 4-1 lead, and never looked back. Their communication on court, especially in switching positions during fast exchanges, stood out. The Koreans attempted to force errors, but the Indo-Thai pair kept their structure intact. A final hold from Poonacha closed the match 6-2, completing a clinical semifinal showing.
Road to the semifinals: solid and consistent
Their semifinal qualification was built on steady progress through the draw. Poonacha and Isaro began strongly with victories marked by controlled aggression and tactical versatility. The duo’s strong baseline play, combined with their growing net presence, has helped them handle different playing styles throughout the week.
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Meanwhile, India’s other hopefuls in the draw Ramkumar Ramanathan and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan fell in their quarterfinal to Cheng-Peng Hsieh and Akira Santillan, despite pushing the match to a tight second set. That result further underlined the quality of the field and the significance of Poonacha–Isaro’s run.
One win away from Melbourne
The final hurdle will be a stern test against Japan’s Kusuhara and Nakagawa, a pair known for their quick hands, compact serves, and rapid net interceptions. The Japanese duo upset the third and sixth seeds earlier in the tournament, showing they cannot be underestimated. Their flat exchanges and fast-paced approach could challenge the Indo-Thai pair’s rhythm.
However, if Poonacha and Isaro continue serving with the same accuracy and maintain their mid-court sharpness, they will enter the final as favourites. Their combination Isaro’s stable back-court play and Poonacha’s aggression at the net—has worked seamlessly throughout the week.
Crucially, the momentum is on their side.
A massive opportunity for Poonacha
For Niki Poonacha, this tournament carries huge significance. An Australian Open main-draw appearance would mark a major milestone in his career. Over the past few seasons, he has consistently been India’s most reliable performer in doubles at the Challenger level, but a Grand Slam breakthrough would represent an entirely new chapter.
This wildcard opportunity reserved for the winners of the Asia-Pacific playoff has historically served as a springboard for careers. For Poonacha, reaching the final itself is proof of his continued development, but lifting the title could cement him among Asia’s leading doubles forces.
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As the Indo-Thai pair prepares for the championship match, the stakes are clear: A win secures a direct spot in the men’s doubles draw of the 2026 Australian Open. Their form, confidence, and tactical clarity suggest they are ready.
For now, Poonacha and Isaro stand on the brink of a career-defining moment with Melbourne just one match away.
