Top seed Marin Cilic withdrew from the match attributable to a knee harm.

Indian pair of N. Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan pulled off one of many main upsets of the fifth version of the Tata Open Maharashtra 2023, beating the No. 2 seed American duo 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) within the doubles quarter-finals on the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Thursday.

Balaji and Jeevan, who entered the match instead pair, put up a sensational present in each thrilling units, which had been determined within the tie-breakers.

The pair consists of Jackson Withrow, World No. 49 and Nathaniel Lammons, ranked 46 on the planet, gave their all to take the match into the ultimate tie-breaker, however the Indians did sufficient to get the consequence of their favour on the finish of the second set. Balaji and Jeeven ended 2022 with six successive semi-final appearances on the Challenger occasions.

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis visited the stadium and watched the thrilling motion of the quarter-finals. 

The former Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar, Mr Saurabh Rao, IAS, Divisional Commissioner of Pune, Mr Suhas Diwase, IAS, Commissioner, Sports, Govt of Maharashtra, Mr Prashant Sutar, Tournament Director of Tata Open Maharashtra and Chairman of MSLTA, Mr Sunder Iyer, Joint Secretary of All India Tennis Association and Secretary of MSLTA, Mr Vikram Kumar, Commissioner of PMC, Mr Shravan Hardikar, IAS, IGR, Pune and Mr Pravin Darade, IAS, Commissioner, Social Welfare and Organising Secretary of Tata Open Maharashtra had been additionally current on the event.

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“We could watch great tennis and I think it has also created a spirit amongst our youth. Credit again goes to Tata open Maharashtra. Let me assure you that in the next five years the Maharashtra government will never allow ATP-250 to go anywhere. I am very happy to be here, my best wishes to the tournament, all the players, who are participating and to all who are watching. This tournament will be a huge success,” stated the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan, together with accomplice Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela, suffered a 2-6, 1-6 loss towards the top-seeded pair of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury within the different doubles quarter-final.

Earlier, the 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic pulled out of the match after struggling a knee harm as his opponent, Tallon Griekspoor was given a walkover within the singles Round-of-8. “Hey guys, very sorry that I couldn’t come out again today to compete. Today, during the warm up, I injured my knee and unfortunately it didn’t get better until I was about to go out on the court. Thanks to the fans for the great support this week, it was fantastic. I’m looking forward to returning to India in the future to compete over here again,” the World No. 17 Cilic stated in his assertion.

The ongoing version of South Asia’s solely ATP 250 occasion is being carried out by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in affiliation with the Government of Maharashtra for the fifth yr in Pune.

In the opposite singles quarter-finals, World No. 59 Aslan Karatsev registered a dominating 6-1, 6-2 victory towards the World No. 63 Pedro Martinez whereas No. 2 seed Botic van de Zandschulp thrashed the qualifier Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 6-2.

The prestigious match, owned by IMG and managed by RISE Worldwide, is sponsored by Tata Motors.The prestigious match, owned by IMG and managed by RISE Worldwide, is sponsored by Tata Motors.

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