Pune’s tennis scene exploded on Monday as Ilya Ivashka orchestrated a major upset at the Maha Open ATP Challenger 75, defeating top seed Federico Agustin Gomez 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(7) in a pulsating encounter at Balewadi Tennis Stadium. The ex-top-50 player endured a 145-minute slugfest to book his second-round berth.
Blitzing the first set 6-1, Ivashka faced Gomez’s riposte in the second. The tiebreak third set tested both warriors, but Ivashka’s steady hand clinched it.
Yuta Shimizu impressed with a 6-4, 6-4 verdict over Lorenzo Carboni. Alastair Gray survived against Daniel Michalski 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Duje Ajdukovic was emphatic, 6-2, 6-4 over Shin San-hui.
From qualifiers: Takuya Kumasaka downed Prjawal Dev 6-4, 6-2; Tung-Lin Wu edged Digvijay Pratap Singh 7-5, 6-4; Max Kasnikowski beat Agafonov 6-4, 6-4; Masamichi Imamura triumphed over Jorda Sanchis 6-4, 6-3; Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong smashed Huang 6-2, 6-3; Yusuke Takahashi prevailed vs. Binda 6-4, 6-3.
High-caliber action from the outset foreshadows an exhilarating week. Competitors battle for vital rankings and the crown in this pivotal Challenger event.