Delhi Open | Poonacha-Lock duo storms into the final, keeps Indian hopes alive

Niki Poonacha advances to doubles final at Delhi Open Challenger, keeping Indian hopes alive with partner Courtney Lock.

Niki Poonacha kept the Indian hopes alive as he made the doubles final in partnership with Courtney Lock of Zimbabwe, beating third seeds Jay Clarke and Johannes Ingildsen 6-2, 7-6(1) in the $100,000 Delhi Open Challenger tennis tournament at the DLTA Complex on Friday.

It was welcome news for the Indian camp after the second-round exit of the home challenge in singles. A whole bunch of Indian players had also failed to progress in doubles.

Niki – with his big serve, smart strokes and exceptional volleying skills – has been combining superbly with the energetic Lock in every round and was no exception in the semifinals.

The doubles final will be against the Japanese Masamichi Imamura and Rio Noguchi, who put out the Czech pair of Hynek Barton and Vit Kopriva 12-10 in the super tie-break.

Kopriva, as the top seed in singles, cruised past sixth seed Shintaro Mochizuki, for the loss of six games in the quarterfinals earlier in the day. He will meet Kyrian Jacquet of France in the semifinals.

Third seed Tristan Schoolkate of Australia enacted another Houdini act, as he fought past qualifier Andre Ilagan 6-7(2), 7-6(1), 6-2. He had earlier beaten the formidable Valentin Vacheot in a thriller.

The Aussie will be up against second seed Billy Harris, who squeezed his way past Elias Ymer in the third set tie-break.