Balaji and Reyes-Varela Rally to Victory; Nagal Falls Short in Grueling Battle

Indian doubles team N Sriram Balaji and Miguel Reyes-Varela triumphed in a gripping match at the Adelaide International pre-quarters, overcoming Rohan Bopanna and Nicolas Barrientos. Meanwhile, India's Sumit Nagal exited the Auckland ASB Classic after a hard-fought match against Alex Michelsen. Both events highlighted the highs and lows in competitive tennis.

The Indian-Mexican pair N Sriram Balaji and Miguel Reyes-Varela showcased resilience as they advanced to the pre-quarterfinals at the Adelaide International by defeating Rohan Bopanna and his Colombian partner Nicolas Barrientos in a tense match. Bopanna's switch from his long-time Australian partner Matthew Ebden to Barrientos came ahead of the Australian Open, bringing a notable win percentage at first serve. However, Balaji and Reyes-Varela overturned an initial set deficit, capitalizing on their rivals' weakening serve to secure a win.

The dynamic duo capitalized on their aggressive gameplay, breaking serves multiple times and forcing their way into a deciding tiebreaker. Demonstrating impressive composure, they clinched the match in one hour and 15 minutes. They will now take on the fourth-seeded pair of Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, representing Finland and Britain, in the last-16 matchup of the tournament.

Meanwhile, India's premier singles player Sumit Nagal battled fiercely against USA's Alex Michelsen but eventually succumbed in a demanding two-hour, 40-minute match at the Auckland ASB Classic. Nagal edged the initial set through a tie-breaker despite saving numerous break points, yet he ultimately struggled with consistency in his service game, especially on the second serve, leading to his defeat.

(With inputs from agencies.)