Mixed day for Myneni, pockets doubles title

Saketh Myneni had a mixed day going down in the singles semifinals and winning the doubles title along with Sanam Singh at the KPIT- MSLTA ATP Challenger at the Balewadi Tennis Complex here on Friday.

In the men's singles semifinal, fourth seeded Yuichi Sugita of Japan stopped the winning run of Saketh with a 7-6(6), 6-4 win while sixth seed Spaniard Adrain Melendez-Maceiras  registered a close 7-5, 7-6(4) victory over eighth seed Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium to make the finals.

In the doubles title clash, Saketh and Sanam combined superbly to oust top seeds Sonchai and Sonchat Ratiwana of Thailand 6-3,6-2 in less than a hour and claim $3100 and 90 ATP points.

In the singles, Being down 0-3, Sugita fought back to level scores at 5-5. After a saving a set point in the tie break Sugita sealed the first set in her favour 7-6 (6). In the second set a jaded looking Saketh showed some character but eventually lost to a better player on the day. 

With this performancesSaketh will climb into the top 250 of the world rankings for the first time in his career, besting his previous career-high ranking of No 256. Saketh has gathered 33 ATP points for his performance in the singles.

Results: Singles (semifinals): 4-Yuichi Sugita (Jpn) bt Saketh Myneni (Ind) 7-6(6), 6-4; 6-Adrain Melendez-Maceiras (Esp) bt 8-Kimmer Coppejans (Bel) 7-5, 7-6(4). 

Doubles (final): Saketh Myneni/ Sanam Singh (Ind) bt Sonchai/Sonchat Ratiwatana (Tha) 6-3, 6-2.