PUNE, India – In a stunning upset that lit up the opening day of the Maha Open ATP Challenger 75, former top-50 player Ilya Ivashka dismantled top seed Federico Agustin Gomez in a gripping three-set battle. The match, played under the lights at the Balewadi Tennis Stadium in Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, showcased Ivashka’s resilience as he clinched a 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(7) victory after 2 hours and 25 minutes of intense action.
Ivashka stormed through the first set, dominating with a 6-1 scoreline that left Gomez reeling. The Argentine fought back fiercely in the second, mirroring the score to level the contest. The decider stretched into a nail-biting tiebreaker, where Ivashka’s composure under pressure sealed his spot in the second round.
The day’s excitement didn’t stop there. Japan’s Yuta Shimizu cruised past Italy’s Lorenzo Carboni 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets, displaying clinical precision. Britain’s Alastair Gray edged out Poland’s Daniel Michalski in another three-setter, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, showing remarkable grit.
Croatia’s Duje Ajdukovic powered through Korea’s Shin San-hui 6-2, 6-4, while qualifiers stole the show. Takuya Kumasaka from Japan defeated India’s S.D. Prjawal Dev 6-4, 6-2, and Tung-Lin Wu of Chinese Taipei overcame Digvijay Pratap Singh 7-5, 6-4. Other qualifiers advancing included Max Kasnikowski, Masamichi Imamura, Yusuke Takahashi, and Malaysia’s Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong.
With top seeds tumbling and qualifiers shining, the Maha Open promises more high-stakes drama. Players are vying for crucial ATP ranking points and the prestigious title in this key Asian swing event. Tennis fans in Pune are in for a treat as the tournament heats up.