Indian tennis fans have a new reason to celebrate as Siddhant Banthia delivered a stellar performance at the ATP Challenger in Kigali, Rwanda, clinching his maiden ATP Challenger title in doubles.
The 24-year-old, who partnered with Alexander Donski of Bulgaria, showed resilience and skill throughout the tournament, marking a significant milestone in his career. His triumph has propelled him to a live ranking of 196, a testament to his rapid rise in professional tennis.
Breakthrough Week in Kigali
Banthia and Donski entered the tournament unseeded but played like seasoned challengers, taking down higher-ranked opponents with a mix of aggressive net play and solid baseline exchanges. Their title run included hard-fought battles, decisive tiebreakers, and moments of pure brilliance that showcased Banthia’s growing stature in the ATP circuit.
Here’s a look at their journey to the title:
Final:
🆚 (3) Geoffrey Blancaneaux 🇫🇷 / Zdeněk Kolář 🇨🇿
✅ Won 6-4, 5-7, 10-8
In a tense final, Banthia and Donski held their nerve in a closely contested match against the third-seeded French-Czech pair.
After taking the opening set 6-4, they faced a strong comeback from their opponents, who forced a decider by winning the second set 7-5. However, in the high-pressure match tiebreak, Banthia’s composure and quick reflexes at the net proved crucial as they edged past their opponents 10-8 to lift the trophy.
Semifinal:
🆚 Olukayode Ayeni 🇺🇸 / Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 🇫🇷
✅ Won 6-4, 6-3
The semifinal was a more straightforward affair as Banthia and Donski dominated Ayeni and Pavlovic with superior shot-making and controlled aggression. They maintained a high first-serve percentage and converted key break points to seal a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Quarterfinal:
🆚 Aidan McHugh 🇬🇧 / Liam Draxl 🇨🇦
✅ Won 6-1, 6-7(6), 10-6
The quarterfinal clash was an intense battle that tested Banthia’s mental toughness. After a dominant first set (6-1), the duo lost a tight second-set tiebreaker (6-7) but managed to regroup in the match tiebreak, winning 10-6. Banthia’s ability to reset and stay focused after a setback played a key role in securing this win.
Round of 16:
🆚 Maxime Janvier 🇫🇷 / Giovanni Picchione 🇮🇹
✅ Won 6-4, 7-6(3)
The opening round saw Banthia and Donski facing a solid challenge from the French-Italian pair. However, they managed to close out both sets in clutch moments, winning the second-set tiebreak 7-3. This win set the tone for their championship run.
A Career-Defining Moment
This maiden ATP Challenger title is a significant breakthrough for Banthia, who has been steadily rising through the ranks. Winning a Challenger title is a major step for any player aiming to make a mark on the ATP Tour, and this victory will undoubtedly boost his confidence going forward.
His current live ranking of 196 is his best yet, and with this momentum, he can set his sights on breaking into the ATP Top 150 in the coming months. If he continues to perform at this level, he could soon be competing in Grand Slam qualifying rounds and making further inroads into the ATP Tour.
The Road Ahead
Banthia’s success in Kigali highlights his potential, but it is just the beginning. His performance in Rwanda has shown that he can compete against experienced Challenger players and hold his own under pressure. The next step for him will be to build on this success, gain more ATP points, and take on tougher competition at higher-level events.
With India’s tennis landscape evolving, having young talents like Banthia making waves in the international circuit is a positive sign. If he continues on this trajectory, he could soon join the ranks of India’s top doubles players.
