New Delhi, February 15: Indian tennis player N. Shriram Balaji and Austria’s Neil Oberleitner continued their impressive performance on the ATP Challenger circuit by winning the men’s doubles title at the Terrega Open in Pau, France, on Saturday.
The Indo-Austrian duo, competing as the top seeds in the ATP Challenger 125 event, defeated the second-seeded pair of Jacob Paul and Matej Vocel in a thrilling final that lasted 77 minutes, with scores of 6-1, 3-6, 13-11. The match was decided in a super tiebreak after both teams won one set each.
Balaji and Oberleitner started strong, taking control early in the match. They broke their opponents’ serve multiple times in the first set, securing it comfortably at 6-1, showcasing their powerful returns and effective net play. However, the momentum shifted in the second set, where both teams were tied at 3-3, and the Swiss-Czech pair capitalized on crucial opportunities to push the match into the decisive super tiebreak.
The final stage of the match was tense, with Balaji and Oberleitner leading 4-1 in the tiebreak. Paul and Vocel mounted a comeback, even earning a match point at 10-9. Displaying patience under pressure, the top-seeded duo saved the match point and ultimately clinched the title on their third opportunity.
This victory marks their third ATP Challenger crown together in 2026. The pair had previously kicked off their season with wins at the Nontaburi Challenger in Bangkok and the Bahrain Open in Manama.
For Balaji, this title in Pau is his 16th doubles trophy on the ATP Challenger circuit, further solidifying his status as one of India’s leading doubles specialists. He previously represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympics, partnering with Rohan Bopanna, although they were eliminated in the opening round.
Throughout the week in Pau, Balaji and Oberleitner dominated their matches, defeating American Martin Damm and Czech player Michael Vrbensky 7-5, 7-6(1) in the semifinals, following a strong performance against unseeded opponents in the opening round. Having already secured three Challenger titles this season, the Indo-Austrian duo appears well-positioned to maintain their momentum in upcoming international tournaments.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
