Unheralded Indian Duo Triumphs at Almaty Open

Sumit Nagal, India's leading singles player, was eliminated in the second round of qualifying at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. Meanwhile, Rithvik Choudhary Bollipalli and Arjun Khade claimed their first ATP 250 title, winning the Almaty Open men's doubles after a nail-biting match.

In a mixed outing for Indian tennis, Sumit Nagal faced a tough elimination in the second qualifying round at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. Nagal, who represented India in the Olympics and is currently the nation's top singles player, succumbed to a straight-set defeat against Australia's James Duckworth, with scores of 6-4, 7-6(2).

While Nagal's journey ended in Basel, back on the court at the Almaty Open, Indian tennis fans found reasons to celebrate. Rithvik Choudhary Bollipalli and Arjun Khade emerged victorious in the men's doubles, securing their first ATP 250 title.

Bollipalli and Khade played a thrilling match, overcoming Colombia's Nicolas Barrientos and Tunisia's Skander Mansouri. After dropping the first set 3-6, they came back to clinch the second set in a tiebreak and prevailed 14-12 in a decisive final-set tiebreak, completing their dream victory in Almaty.

(With inputs from agencies.)