Prajnesh Gunneswaran triumphs in Bengaluru Open $125,000 Challenger

Prajnesh Gunneswaran stamped his strong game as he outplayed Saketh Myneni 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the $150,000 Bengaluru Open Challenger tennis tournament on Saturday.

It was the second Challenger title for the 29-year-old Prajnesh following the one in Anning this season. He had lost the final of a similar tournament in Ningbo recently.
Prajnesh has eight Futures singles titles including one this season.

The title, accomplished with considerable authority as the 144th ranked Prajnesh, the Asian Games bronze medallist, did not drop a set in the whole tournament, is tipped to take him to his career-best rank and No.1 spot in the country.

It was the second victory in three meetings for Prajnesh over Saketh who had beaten him in the Taipei Challenger in three sets earlier in the season.

For one trying to get back his rhythm following injury lay-off, the 312th ranked Saketh had done very well to make the final on a wild card.

For his effort, Saketh also fetched a ‘’special exempt’’ spot in the $50,000 Pune Challenger.

The champion collected 125 ATP points and $21,600 and the runner-up, 75 points and $12,720.