Thrilling Wins for Indian Doubles Teams in Challenger Circuit: Prashanth/Martos Reach ATP Poznan Final, Kalyanpur/Somani Eye ATP 50 Title in France
Indian tennis had plenty to cheer about on Saturday as two doubles pairs Vishnu Vardhan Prashanth with Spain’s Sergio Martos Gornés and the young Indian duo of Adil Kalyanpur and Parikshit Somani booked their spots in Challenger finals at ATP events in Poland and France, respectively.
Poznan Challenger: Prashanth & Martos Gornés Upset Top Seeds
In one of the standout matches of the ATP Challenger Tour this week, India’s Vishnu Vardhan Prashanth and Spain’s Sergio Martos Gornés pulled off a dramatic semifinal victory at the ATP 100 Poznan Challenger in Poland. The unseeded Indo-Spanish pair overcame the tournament’s top seeds, Dutch veterans Matwé Middelkoop and Jean-Julien Rojer, in a tense 6-7(3), 7-6(6), [10-7] win.
The match, which swung both ways over nearly two hours of high-quality tennis, was decided by narrow margins. Prashanth and Martos Gornés saved a match point in the second set tie-break, showing composure under pressure to force a deciding super tiebreak. They carried the momentum forward, edging the Dutch duo 10-7 in the final frame to book their spot in the championship match.
This result is significant given the stature of their opponents. Middelkoop and Rojer are seasoned doubles specialists with multiple ATP titles between them, including Grand Slam wins in Rojer’s case. For Prashanth and Martos Gornés, the win is one of their most notable as a team and speaks volumes of their chemistry and resilience.
They now advance to the final where they will face the Romanian pair of Victor Vlad Cornea Pavel and Nicolae Jecan, who have also enjoyed a strong run through the draw.
Royan Atlantique Challenger: Kalyanpur/Somani Make Historic Final
In France, Indian youngsters Adil Kalyanpur and Parikshit Somani also created waves by reaching the final of the ATP 50 Royan Atlantique Challenger, a tournament that returned to the Challenger circuit this year after a 44-year hiatus. The Royan Atlantique Open was last held in 1981, and its 2025 revival has already proved memorable for Indian tennis.
In their semifinal match, Kalyanpur and Somani came from a set down to beat the Russian team of Maxim Zhukov and Egor Agafonov. After a shaky start, where they lost the opening set 1-6, the Indian pair found their rhythm in the second, winning it 6-4 before sealing the match 10-5 in the super tiebreak.
For both Kalyanpur and Somani, this is one of their deepest runs at a Challenger-level tournament. It marks a promising development in their careers, especially for Somani, who has been making steady progress on the ITF and Challenger circuits over the past 18 months.
Their run to the final offers India a strong shot at another Challenger title in doubles a category where Indian players have traditionally found success, even on the biggest stages.
Bopanna/Gille Fall in Queen’s Club Quarterfinals
At the ATP 500 Queen’s Club Championships in London, the seasoned Indo-Belgian duo of Rohan Bopanna and Sander Gille saw their campaign come to an end in the quarterfinals. They lost a tightly contested match against the British pair of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, 6-7, 6-7.
Both sets were decided via tiebreaks, indicating just how evenly matched the contest was. Despite serving well and creating opportunities, Bopanna and Gille were unable to convert key points when it mattered most. Still, the quarterfinal run offers decent preparation for the Wimbledon Championships, where Bopanna, currently among the world’s top-ranked doubles players, will look to mount a deeper challenge.
Indian Doubles: A Promising Phase
The simultaneous success of Indian doubles players across different tiers of the ATP Tour is a positive sign for Indian tennis, which continues to rely heavily on its doubles specialists for representation and results at the global level. While seasoned names like Bopanna continue to remain competitive on the main tour, younger players like Prashanth, Kalyanpur, and Somani are beginning to make inroads at the Challenger level an important stepping stone towards higher-tier events.
The emergence of these new combinations — across generations and in partnership with international players also reflects a growing adaptability and willingness to experiment, something critical in today’s fast-paced doubles landscape.
Prashanth and Martos Gornés will aim to carry their momentum into the final at Poznan later today. A title win against the Romanian team would not only boost their rankings but also mark Prashanth’s first Challenger-level title of the season. Meanwhile, in France, Kalyanpur and Somani will look to cap off their dream run with a win at Royan, which could significantly lift their confidence and credentials moving forward.
Together, these performances are shaping up as a promising chapter for Indian tennis in 2025, particularly in the doubles domain. With the hard-court season approaching and the Olympic qualification window open, results like these may soon have wider implications.
Indian tennis fans will hope the momentum continues.
