Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 21: Top seeds Siddhant Banthia and Alexander Donski lifted the doubles trophy at the ATP Delhi Open after surviving a nail-biting final at the DLTA Complex on Saturday.
The Indo-Bulgarian pair edged past second seeds Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Pruchya Isaro 4-6, 6-4, 12-10, saving a match point in a tense match tie-break. After dropping the opening set, Banthia and Donski bounced back strongly to level the contest before holding their nerve in the decider, where both teams saved match points at 10-10 before the top seeds sealed victory.
The triumph marked Banthia’s second ATP Challenger doubles title — both won alongside Donski — while it was Donski’s third Challenger crown. The champions earned 75 ranking points and $4,980 in prize money, while the runners-up collected 50 points and $2,880.
Earlier in the semifinals, Banthia and Donski defeated Jay Clarke and Michael Geerts in straight sets, while Poonacha and Isaro overcame JiSung Nam and Patrik Niklas-Salminen to book their place in the final.
In singles, fifth seed Oliver Crawford advanced to the title clash with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over second seed Rei Sakamoto. The 26-year-old Brit, ranked No. 215, delivered a composed performance, converting two of eight break-point chances and saving both break points on his serve.
He will face Greece’s Stefanos Sakellaridis, who defeated Felix Gill 6-1, 7-6(5). The 21-year-old dominated the first set and held firm in a tightly contested second-set tie-break, converting his fourth match point to reach his maiden Challenger final.
The tournament, part of the ATP Challenger 75 series and now in its sixth edition, offers 75 ranking points and $17,000 to the singles champion, while the runner-up will earn 44 points and $9,600.
This year marks the third time an Indian has won the Delhi Open doubles title. Previously, Saketh Myneni/Sanam Singh (2015) and Yuki Bhambri/Mahesh Bhupathi (2016) had claimed the honour. In singles, Somdev Devvarman remains the only Indian champion in the event’s history, having won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.