The Indian duo of Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth left their mark on the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open, navigating a gauntlet of tough opponents to emerge victorious. Their campaign was packed with razor-thin margins and comeback victories, culminating in their first shared ATP Tour level Doubles title of 2024.
Match-by-Match Breakdown
Round of 16: vs. Bayldon/Fancutt (AUS):
7-6(4), 4-6, 10-7
The Indian pair started strong, clinching a tight first set in a tiebreak. Despite dropping the second set, they regrouped effectively in the super tiebreak, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure right from the outset.
Quarterfinals: vs. 2nd seeds J. Cash/L. Glasspool (GBR):
6-7(4), 7-6(6), 10-8
In a match where margins couldn’t have been slimmer, Jeevan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth outlasted the second-seeded British duo. After losing a close first set tiebreak, they flipped the script in the second, thereby forcing a decider. Their composure in the super tiebreak proved crucial, as they edged out their higher-ranked opponents.
Semifinals: vs. 3rd seeds A. Behar (URU)/R. Galloway (USA):
0-6, 6-2, 10-4
This match highlighted the Indians’ mental fortitude. After a disastrous first set where they failed to win a game, lesser pairs might have crumbled. Instead, Jeevan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, dominating the second set and carrying that momentum into a one-sided super tiebreak.
Finals: vs. C. Frantzen/H. Jebens (GER):
4-6, 7-6(5), 10-7
The final proved to be a microcosm of their tournament journey. Dropping the first set, they battled back to win the second on a tiebreak. With the title on the line, they once again excelled in the super tiebreak format, completing their incredible run with a hard-fought victory.
Career Milestones
This victory in Hangzhou wasn’t just another title:
- It marked Vijay Sundar Prashanth’s maiden ATP title
- For Jeevan, it represented his second ATP crown, further solidifying his doubles credentials
Rankings Boost
The aftermath of their Hangzhou heroics also sees both players making significant moves in the ATP rankings:
- Jeevan ascends to World No. 86 in the live rankings
- Vijay Sundar Prashanth makes a substantial jump to World No. 102
Their performance in Hangzhou wasn’t just about winning a title; it was a statement of intent, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian tennis and their potential to shake up the doubles circuit.