Yuki Bhambri, India’s top-ranked doubles player, and his French partner Albano Olivetti triumphed in the doubles final of the €651,865 ATP tennis tournament in Munich on Sunday. The victory marked Bhambri’s first title of the season and his second ATP doubles title overall.
The Indo-French duo defeated wild card entrants Andreas Mies and Jan Lennard Struff 7-6(6), 7-6(5) in a thrilling encounter. Bhambri, 31, has now won 40 titles in his professional career, including 21 in doubles.
The victory was particularly significant for Bhambri, who had been struggling with injuries in recent years. He had not won an ATP title since 2018. The triumph in Munich will undoubtedly boost his confidence and provide him with much-needed momentum for the rest of the season.
Bhambri and Olivetti had an impressive run throughout the tournament. They defeated Monte Carlo Masters champions Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen of Belgium in the first round. In the semifinals, they overcame the challenge of Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, the top seeds.
The final against Mies and Struff was a closely contested affair. Both teams held serve throughout the first set, forcing a tiebreaker. Bhambri and Olivetti eventually prevailed 7-6(6) in the tiebreaker.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both teams holding serve until the tiebreaker. This time, Bhambri and Olivetti were even more dominant, winning the tiebreaker 7-6(5) to seal the victory.
The triumph in Munich is a testament to Bhambri’s resilience and determination. Despite facing setbacks in recent years, he has never given up on his dream of winning more ATP titles. The victory will undoubtedly inspire other Indian tennis players to strive for success on the international stage.
