The Indian challenge in the singles draw at the Bengaluru Open 2026 came to a close on Thursday, January 8. However, the nation's flag continues to fly in the doubles competition thanks to a spirited performance by the Indo-Austrian pairing.
Singles Campaign Concludes
While the specific details of the final Indian singles match were not disclosed in the initial report, it was confirmed that the home nation's participation in the singles category of the ATP Challenger event has ended. This development shifts the focus squarely onto the doubles teams carrying Indian interest.
Doubles Duo Stages Remarkable Comeback
In a match filled with tension and momentum swings, the pair of India's N Sriram Balaji and Austria's Neil Oberleitner kept the home fans engaged. They faced a stiff challenge from the Kazakh-Russian combination of Grigoriy Lomakin and Petr Bar Biryukov.
The first set was a tightly contested affair, extending to a tie-breaker. The Indo-Austrian duo narrowly lost the set 6-7 (8), putting them on the back foot. Unfazed by the setback, Balaji and Oberleitner regrouped brilliantly. They broke their opponents' resolve to clinch the second set 6-4, forcing the match into a decisive super tie-break.
Super Tie-Break Seals Victory
The final set, played as a 10-point match tie-break, saw the Balaji-Oberleitner partnership display superior coordination and nerve. They dominated the crucial moments to seal the victory with a 10-6 scoreline in the breaker. This hard-fought win, achieved after losing the first set, propels them into the next round of the tournament.
The result ensures that Indian fans still have a team to support in the later stages of the prestigious Bengaluru Open. The tournament, a key fixture in the global ATP Challenger calendar, is being held at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) stadium.
