Indian Tennis Duo Wins Silver Medal in Men’s Doubles at Asian Games 2023

By Sujoy Roy

In a thrilling showdown at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, Indian tennis players Saketh Myneni and Ramanathan Ramkumar secured a hard-fought silver medal in the men’s doubles category. The duo faced off against the formidable Chinese Taipei pair of Yu-Hsiou Hsu and ason Jung, with both teams putting up a fierce fight throughout the match.

The Indian tennis duo, seeded second in the tournament, showcased their prowess from the opening match and demonstrated remarkable consistency on their path to the final.

Their journey began with a dominant performance in the early rounds, where they secured victories over several opponents, gradually gaining momentum and confidence. Notably, they exhibited exceptional skills in both their serve and volley games, making them a formidable force on the court.

In the semifinals, Saketh Myneni and Ramanathan Ramkumar faced a challenging test. However, they maintained their composure and comradery, eventually clinching a hard fought victory 6-1 6-7(6) (10-0) against the Korean duo and securing their spot in the final match.

The final showdown against the unseeded Chinese Taipei pair proved to be an epic battle. Both teams displayed outstanding tennis, captivating the audience with their precision, agility, and determination. The first set of the match saw both teams comfortably holding their serve games initially. However, with the score tied at 2-2, it was the Chinese Taipei duo of Jason Jung and Yu-hsiou Hsu who managed to secure the crucial first break in the fifth game. Despite the valiant efforts of Myneni and Ramanathan, the Chinese Taipei team maintained their lead and took the first set.

In the second set, Myneni and Ramanathan found themselves on the backfoot but managed to keep their opponents at bay. However, in the ninth game, with the score tied at 4-4, Jason Jung and Yu-hsiou Hsu capitalized on a break opportunity off Saketh Myneni’s serve. They followed this with a strong service game, ultimately clinching Chinese Taipei’s first gold medal in the Asian Games tennis men’s doubles tournament.

For Ramanathan Ramkumar, this was his first appearance on the Asian Games podium, marking a significant milestone in his career. In contrast, Saketh Myneni’s silver medal adds to his impressive collection of Asian Games medals, which includes a mixed doubles gold at
Incheon 2014.

Despite their silver medal finish, both Indian players showcased exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. In the final, they faced not only their opponents but also the passionate support of the Chinese fans who enthusiastically cheered for the
Taiwanese team.

Ramkumar Ramanathan expressed his frustration with the crowd’s behaviour, noting that the constant noise disrupted the rhythm of the match for both teams. Nevertheless, he commended the performance of the Chinese Taipei pair and acknowledged that it had been
a challenging match.

Looking ahead, both Ramanathan and Myneni remain committed to representing India on the international stage and aim to bring more medals to the country in future competitions.

The silver medal won by Saketh Myneni and Ramanathan Ramkumar at the Asian Games 2023 is a testament to their dedication and skill in the sport of tennis. While they fell short of the gold, their impressive performance has made India proud, and they continue to inspire aspiring tennis players across the nation