Siddharth Vishwakarma, a seasoned Davis Cup campaigner, displayed impressive form on Tuesday as he powered past Maxim Zhukov 7-5, 6-2 in the opening round of the $30,000 ITF men’s tennis tournament at the Altevol-Waske Tennis Academy. The Indian left-hander looked sharp from the start and used his powerful forehand and court coverage to dictate the pace throughout the match. His aggressive approach and timely shot selection forced errors from the Russian, allowing Siddharth to take control in both sets.
Siddharth started the match on a solid note, holding serve comfortably and challenging Zhukov’s rhythm. The first set saw both players testing each other with strong baseline rallies, but it was Siddharth who maintained composure at crucial moments. At 5-5, he stepped up his intensity, breaking Zhukov’s serve with a string of winners before sealing the set 7-5.
In the second set, Siddharth shifted into a higher gear. He broke Zhukov early and didn’t allow the Russian to recover. Consistent first serves and dominant returns kept Siddharth in the driver’s seat. With quick footwork and an eye for angles, he dismantled Zhukov’s resistance and cruised through the set 6-2 to book a place in the second round.
Siddharth’s performance reflected his experience and his readiness to compete at a higher level. With this win, he has sent a strong signal to the rest of the field, asserting his intent to go deep into the tournament.
Digvijay Pratap Singh Battles Hard in Return but Falls Short
Another Indian Davis Cupper, Digvijay Pratap Singh, also featured on the day’s schedule. He took on the third seed Alexandr Binda of Italy in what turned out to be a closely fought match. Returning to the professional circuit after a long injury layoff, Digvijay showed glimpses of his class but couldn’t overcome the well-rounded game of Binda, who won 7-6(5), 7-5.
Digvijay started strong and showed excellent control from the baseline. He matched Binda shot-for-shot in the opening set and pushed the Italian into a tie-break. However, Binda held his nerve in the crucial moments and edged out the set 7-6(5). Despite the setback, Digvijay didn’t lose his focus. He continued to fight hard in the second set, using a mix of topspin-heavy groundstrokes and aggressive net play to keep Binda under pressure.
At 5-5 in the second set, Digvijay had opportunities to push for a break, but Binda stepped up and served strongly. The Italian then capitalized on a slight dip in Digvijay’s serve in the following game to break and close out the match. Though Digvijay didn’t emerge victorious, his gritty performance and willingness to battle marked a positive return to competition.
Chirag Duhan and Dev Javia Stun Doubles Third Seeds
In doubles action, the Indian pair of Chirag Duhan and Dev Javia pulled off a thrilling win against the third-seeded duo of Sai Karteek Reddy and veteran Vishnu Vardhan. After dropping the first set 4-6, Duhan and Javia regrouped quickly and roared back into the match by taking the second set 6-1. In the deciding super tie-break, both teams traded mini-breaks, but it was Duhan and Javia who kept their composure and edged out their more experienced opponents 10-8.
The match showcased high-quality doubles play, with fast reflexes at the net, sharp angles, and quick serves. Duhan and Javia showed excellent chemistry on court, especially in the second set, where they didn’t allow their opponents any breathing space. Their confidence grew as they broke serve early and maintained the momentum.
In the super tie-break, Reddy and Vardhan tried to regroup and matched their opponents point-for-point. However, Javia delivered a brilliant forehand return winner at 9-8 to seal the match and move into the quarterfinals. Their win underscored the rise of young Indian players in the doubles circuit and reflected the growing depth in Indian tennis.
Other Results Round-Up: Singles First Round
In other singles action, Madhwin Kamath advanced to the second round after his opponent Prajwal Dev retired midway through the second set. Kamath had taken the first set in a tight tie-break 7-6(7) and was leading 2-1 in the second when Dev pulled out due to injury.
Nitin Kumar Sinha looked sharp and in control as he cruised past Yuvan Nandal 6-3, 6-1. Sinha dominated from the baseline and served efficiently to keep Nandal under pressure throughout the match. His ability to absorb pace and redirect shots helped him close out points quickly.
Italy’s Alexandr Binda, who defeated Digvijay Pratap Singh, progressed smoothly into the next round. His game combined consistency, smart shot selection, and clutch play during the tie-break and pressure moments.
Doubles Pre-Quarterfinals: International and Indian Duos Progress
Top-level doubles action continued in the pre-quarterfinals, with international and Indian pairs showing their mettle.
The American-Kazakh pair of Nick Chappell and Grigoriy Lomakin moved past Lawrence Bataljin (Australia) and Raghav Jaisinghani with a straight-set win. Chappell and Lomakin executed a disciplined game plan to secure a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
In another match, the Indo-Australian pair of Adil Kalyanpur and Kody Pearson outplayed the Indian duo of Kashit Nagrale and Dharmil Shah with a clinical 6-1, 6-2 scoreline. Kalyanpur and Pearson brought a mix of power and finesse to the court, leaving little room for error for their opponents.
Looking Ahead
As the ITF $30,000 tournament progresses, Indian players have shown early promise with both singles and doubles wins. Siddharth Vishwakarma’s dominant performance bodes well for his campaign, while young Indian doubles teams have also made an impact with clutch victories.
Digvijay Pratap Singh may not have crossed the first hurdle, but his return from injury and his spirited performance provide hope for his comeback. With more matches on the horizon, fans can expect exciting action and potential upsets as the tournament intensifies at the Altevol-Waske Tennis Academy.
