Maharashtra Open 2023: Indian pair of Balaji and Jeevan reaches doubles final

Indian pair N Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan continued their run of form to enter the doubles final at the fifth Tata Maharashtra Open 2023 tennis tournament here on Friday.

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Balaji and Jeevan, who booked a semi-final berth just 24 hours ago at the Balewadi Stadium with a shock win over second seeds Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow, again put on a spirited performance on the Center Court on Friday night to see off British pair of Julian Cash and Henry Patten. By defeating 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 26 minutes, they brought themself to the title threshold.

With this resounding victory, the Tamil Nadu-born pair also kept alive the Indian challenge in Maharashtra Open 2023. The tournament is being organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in association with the Maharashtra government.

Balaji and Jeevan faced some challenges from the British pair in the beginning. But they found the rhythm quickly and took the first set easily. They closely fought in the second set and tied the score at 5-5. However, after entering in the tournament as an alternate pair, the Indians, who have played exceptionally well so far, won the next two consecutive games to secure a place in the final.

The Indians will now take on fourth-seeded Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in the title clash on Saturday. Gille and Vliegen ousted top seed American Rajeev Ram and Britain's Joe Salisbury in the other semi-final. Gille and Vliegen won the match which lasted for one hour and 36 minutes by 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4).

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Earlier in the singles semi-finals, French star Benjamin Bonzi pulled off a sensational 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-1 win. He beat second-seeded World No. 35 Botic van de Zandschulp. The first two sets were decided in the tie-breaker in an exciting match that lasted for two hours and 36 minutes. But Dutch competitor Botic could not even struggle in the third set.

The 26-year-old Bonzi will take on another unseeded player from the Netherlands, Tallon Griekspoor, in the final on Saturday. World number 95 Griekspoor, who got a walkover from injured top seed Marin Cilic 24 hours ago. He beat eighth seed Russian Aslan Karatsev 7-6 (4), 6-1 in one hour and 22 minutes in his first ATP Tour semi-final.