In one of the most thrilling finals of the season, Italian teen Federico Sina defied the odds to beat Britain’s Felix Gill 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(1) and lift the Mahaopen ATP Challenger 75 Men’s Championship trophy in Pune on Sunday. Played at Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Sankul’s Balewadi venue, the 2-hour-29-minute epic showcased Sina’s first ATP Challenger win at age 18.
The match kicked off with Sina asserting dominance through powerful serves and deep groundstrokes, taking the first set 6-3. Gill hit back in the second, securing a vital break to tie the contest. The decider erupted into fierce competition, marked by marathon points and unyielding defense from both sides.
Facing elimination at 5-6 on serve with five match points looming, Sina produced a sequence of heroic saves, leveling for a tie-break. He then powered through 7-1, sealing his triumph amid thunderous applause from the full house.
Sina was awarded $17,000 and 75 ranking points, while Gill received $9,600 and 40 points. The Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association’s event, supported by civic bodies, drew huge attendance and affirmed Pune’s place on the global tennis map. Sina’s victory is a testament to youthful talent rising rapidly on the professional circuit.