In a high-stakes “All-Indian” battle at the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the wild-card pairing of Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Ramkumar Ramanathan edged out their compatriots Anirudh Chandrasekar and Vijay Sundar Prashanth in a tightly contested qualifying match.
The victory, secured with a 6-4, 7-6(4) scoreline on February 21, 2026, keeps the Nedunchezhiyan/Ramanathan duo in the hunt for a coveted spot in the tournament’s main doubles draw.
Match Analysis: Precision Meets Resilience
The match was a showcase of contrasting styles and familiar rivalries. Nedunchezhiyan and Ramanathan, who have combined together in the last few months, used their tactical synergy to overcome the spirited challenge of Chandrasekar and Prashanth.
The Breakdown
- Set 1 (6-4): The opening set was decided by a single break of serve. Nedunchezhiyan’s clever net play and Ramanathan’s heavy baseline hitting allowed them to apply pressure at crucial moments, closing out the set efficiently.
- Set 2 (7-6): The second set was a much tighter affair. Both teams held serve with discipline, leading to a high-pressure tiebreak. In the breaker, the experience of the wild-card pair shone through as they maintained their composure to win 7-4, avoiding a deciding match tiebreak.
Match Scorecard
| Pair | Set 1 | Set 2 (Tiebreak) | Result |
| Nedunchezhiyan / Ramanathan | 6 | 7 (7) | 2 |
| Chandrasekar / Prashanth | 4 | 6 (4) | 0 |
The Road to the Main Draw
The win propels Jeevan and Ramkumar into the final qualifying round. They are set to face the second seeds in the qualifying draw, Karol Drzewiecki and Piotr Matuszewski, for a chance to enter the main event.
Securing a spot in the main draw of an ATP 500 is a significant opportunity for the Indian pair, as the Dubai field is traditionally one of the strongest on the tour, featuring top-ranked teams and substantial ranking points.
Looking Ahead
With the main draw action starting on February 23, all eyes are on whether this Indian duo can translate this qualifying momentum into a deep run. Their next match will be the ultimate test of whether their chemistry can withstand the power of the European specialists.