Karnataka’s tennis stars SD Prajwal Dev and Adil Kalyanpur, who have been having a splendid run this season, added another doubles title at the ITF Mumbai Open on Saturday.
Winners of two titles together already, the second-seeded Prajwal and Adil scored a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 win over the pairing of Adhithya Ganesan of the USA and Aryan Shah of India in the title clash that lasted an hour and 30 minutes.
The duo had won back-to-back titles in Congo on clay in July and August. It was the pair’s fourth title of the season. They had won their first with different partners earlier in the year.
“Winning at home is always special,” said Prajwal. “It’s always nice to win when you have friends and family around,” added the 28-year-old Mysurean after winning his 13th ITF doubles title.
Having played together for Karnataka at the National Games, winning a gold in 2022 and a silver last year, the two complement each other’s game and have forged a nice partnership.
“We have played quite a few tournaments this year and won twice already this season. We have different strengths and we kind of coordinate and play as a team,” said Prajwal.
The two will hope to carry their form into the Kalaburagi Open that begins with the qualies on Sunday.
Results: Doubles: Final: SD Prajwal Dev/Adil Kalyanpur (Ind) bt Adhithya Ganesan (USA)/ Aryan Shah (Ind) 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. Semis: bt Jang Yunseok (Kor)/ Rifqi Fitraidi (Ina) 7-5, 6-3; Quarters: bt Karan Singh/ Dev Javia (Ind) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4