Ilya Ivashka Stuns Top Seed Federico Gomez at Maha Open ATP Challenger

Exciting Upset at the Maha Open

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 23: In a surprising turn of events, former top-50 player Ilya Ivashka triumphed over the top seed Federico Agustin Gomez in a thrilling three-set match during the first round of the PMRDA Powered Maha Open ATP Challenger 75 Men's Tennis Championship held at the Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul, Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium.

This tournament is organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, along with PCMC, PMC, and PMDTA, and is sponsored by the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA).

Ivashka started strong, winning the first set 6-1, but Gomez fought back to take the second set by the same score. The final set was a nail-biter, culminating in a tense tie-breaker where Ivashka maintained his composure to secure a 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(7) victory after 2 hours and 25 minutes of play, advancing him to the next round.

In other matches, Japan's Yuta Shimizu showcased his skills by defeating Italy's Lorenzo Carboni with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, Britain's Alastair Gray overcame Poland's Daniel Michalski in a closely contested match, finishing 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic also progressed smoothly, winning against Korea's Shin San-hui with a score of 6-2, 6-4.

Unfortunately, the two Indian qualifiers faced tough competition, with Takuya Kumasaka from Japan defeating S D Prajwal Dev 6-4, 6-2, and Tung-Lin Wu from Chinese Taipei winning against Digvijaypratap Singh 7-5, 6-4 in the final qualifying round.

Other qualifiers included Japan's Maks Kasnikowski, Masamichi Imamura, Yusuke Takahashi, and Malaysia's Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong. With several closely contested matches and a significant upset on the first day, the ATP Challenger 75 event is set to deliver more thrilling tennis as players compete for essential ranking points and the prestigious title in Pune.

The tournament's opening day was inaugurated with the presence of notable figures including Sheetal Teli-Ugale (IAS), Commissioner of Sports, Maharashtra; Deepak Singla (IAS), PMRDA Joint Commissioner; Prashant Sutar, President of MSLTA; Sunder Iyer, Hon Secretary of MSLTA; and Rogerio Santos, ATP Supervisor.

Results:

Main Draw (First Round)

Singles:

Ilya Ivashka bt Federico Agustin Gomez (ARG) 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(7);

Yuta Shimizu (JPN) bt Lorenzo Carboni (ITA) 6-4, 6-4;

Alastair Gray (GBR) bt Daniel Michalski (POL) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3;

Duje Ajdukovic (CRO) bt Sanhui Shin (KOR) 6-2, 6-4;

Final Qualifying Round:

Takuya Kumasaka (JPN) bt S D Prajwal Dev (IND) 6-4, 6-2;

Tung-Lin Wu (TPE) bt Digvijaypratap Singh (IND) 7-5, 6-4;

Maks Kasnikowski (POL) bt Egor Agafonov 6-4, 6-4;

Masamichi Imamura (JPN) bt David Jorda Sanchis (ESP) 6-4, 6-3;

Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong (MAS) bt Tsung-Hao Huang (TPE) 6-2, 6-3;

Yusuke Takahashi (JPN) bt Alexander Binda (ITA) 6-4, 6-3.