In a significant development for Indian tennis enthusiasts, World No 93 and India’s top player, Sumit Nagal, is set to headline the main draw of the PMRDA Powered Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men’s International Tennis Championship. Organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Govt of Maharashtra, the prestigious event will take place at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium.
The ATP Challenger, sponsored by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA), marks the third installment of ATP Challenger 100 events hosted in India, following tournaments in Chennai and Bengaluru.
Nagal will face tough competition from a formidable lineup, including Ajdukovic, Duje of Croatia (125), Adam Walton, Australia (153), Valentin Vacherot Monaco (173), Dalibor Svrcina Czech Republic (174), Oliver Crawford, Great Britain (190), Dane Sweeny Australia (190), and Federico Gaio of Italy (194) in the seeding list.
Local talent Arjun Kadhe and his partner Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan secured the top billing in the doubles category, adding a significant element of excitement for home fans.
Mr. Prashant Sutar, Chairman of MSLTA, announced the third wildcard in the singles main draw for Niki Poonacha, while two doubles wildcards were awarded to promising Indian players Siddanth Banthia and his partner Parikshit Somani, as well as the duo of Kartik Ganta Reddy and Karan Singh.
Tournament Director Sunder Iyer revealed that the PMR-supported Maha Open Challenger will feature three former Top 50 players, including former World No. 17 Bernard Tomic of Australia, former World No. 24 Vasek Pospisil of Canada, and former World No. 42 Benjamin Bonzi of France.
In the qualifying rounds, Bonzi will face local wildcard Siddanth Banthia, and Tomic will compete against another local wildcard, Vishal Balsekar. Local sixteen-year-old Arnav Paparkar, the third wildcard, will take on Felix Gill of Great Britain, while Pospisil faces Chun-Hsin Tseng.
Matches are scheduled to commence from 11 am onwards, and the event offers free entry for spectators keen on witnessing the thrilling matches unfold.
