For Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha, the doubles final at the PMRDA Powered MahaOpen ATP Challenger 75 was not just about lifting a trophy. It was about momentum, partnership, and proving consistency on home soil.
Though he fell short in the title clash alongside Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro, the Indian doubles specialist walked away with belief reinforced and clarity sharpened.
Facing the fourth-seeded pair of Jisung Nam and Patrik Niklas-Salminen at the Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul, Poonacha and Isaro pushed the contest to the limit before going down 6-4, 6-7(1), 10-7 in a tightly contested final.
“It’s always tough to lose a match tie-break in a final,” Poonacha reflected. “But I’m proud of how we competed. These are the matches that shape you.”
Finding Rhythm Through the Week
For Poonacha, the week in Pune was about building rhythm. The Indo-Thai pairing had navigated challenging matchups en route to the final, combining structured baseline play with aggressive net presence. As the second seeds, expectations were clear deliver deep into the tournament.
“We were communicating well all week,” he said. “In doubles, chemistry is everything. You need to understand each other’s tendencies, when to poach, when to stay, when to slow the tempo. I thought we managed that well through the earlier rounds.”
The final, however, demanded another level.
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The opening set saw Nam and Niklas-Salminen capitalise on a single break. From Poonacha’s perspective, the difference lay in small margins. “At this level, one loose service game can decide a set. They were very sharp on returns early on. We had chances, but we didn’t convert them.”
Despite dropping the first set 6-4, Poonacha believed the momentum was not lost. The second set saw a noticeable shift in intensity from the Indo-Thai pair. “We adjusted our return positioning and started attacking second serves more aggressively. That gave us better control in the rallies.”
The response was emphatic in the tie-break, where they dominated 7-1 to force a deciding match tie-break. “That tie-break showed what we’re capable of. We were decisive, especially at the net.”
The Match Tie-Break Test
Match tie-breaks are often a psychological examination as much as a technical one. With no extended rhythm and every point magnified, execution becomes non-negotiable.
“We started well, but they played a couple of brave points at the right time,” Poonacha said. “There were two or three exchanges where a ball clips the tape or lands a few millimetres inside the line that’s the difference.” At 7-all, composure became the deciding factor. Nam and Niklas-Salminen held their nerve, stringing together clean first serves and sharp reflex volleys to close out the match 10-7.
“In those moments, it’s about clarity. Not thinking about the trophy, not thinking about the crowd. Just committing to your patterns. They did that slightly better in the last few points.”
Playing at Home
Competing in India adds an emotional layer for Poonacha. The familiarity of conditions and the support from local fans carry weight. “Playing at home always motivates you differently. You want to deliver. The support in Pune was fantastic. That energy helps, especially in long matches.”
The Challenger 75 format, offering 75 ATP ranking points to champions and 50 to finalists, is crucial for doubles specialists navigating a tight global calendar. Ranking stability directly impacts entry into higher-tier events. “These weeks are important. Consistency at this level allows you to plan better, choose your tournaments strategically, and move towards bigger draws.”
Poonacha’s doubles journey has been built on steady progression rather than sudden breakthroughs. Finals like this reinforce both progress and areas to refine. “You analyse these matches honestly. Serve percentage under pressure. First-volley accuracy. Return depth. There’s always something to sharpen.”
He also emphasised the growing competitiveness of Challenger-level doubles. “The depth is strong. Many players have ATP Tour experience or Davis Cup exposure. You can’t afford dips in concentration.”
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Despite the loss, Poonacha views the week as constructive. “We made another final. That’s important. It tells us our level is there. Now it’s about converting these opportunities.”
With the Indian tennis calendar expanding and more Challenger events being staged domestically, Poonacha sees value in sustained exposure at home. “These tournaments give Indian players continuity. Less travel fatigue, more match play, and the chance to build ranking points.”
The focus now shifts to the next event, the next draw, the next opportunity to close. “You don’t dwell too long — whether you win or lose. You take the lessons and move forward.”
For Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha, the Pune final may not have ended with silverware, but it reinforced something equally vital: that he belongs in these conversations, in these matches, in these moments where titles are decided by inches.
And in professional doubles, inches are often all that separate a finalist from a champion.
