Unseeded Indians Triumph in SM Krishna Memorial Doubles

In a result that surprised many, Adil Kalyanpur and Mukund Shashikumar captured the doubles title at the SM Krishna Memorial Open 2026 after a pulsating final against the experienced Kazakh duo of Petr Bar Biryukov and Grigory Lomakin. The 6-7(3), 6-4, 10-3 scoreline told only part of the story; the match featured dramatic swings, clutch serving, and a decisive super tie-break masterclass from the home pair. The victory carried extra significance as it represented the first professional doubles crown for both players. Having navigated through a tough draw that included wins over Japanese and Irish-Australian combinations, Kalyanpur and Mukund saved their best tennis for the final. Their ability to recover from losing the first set highlighted mental resilience rarely seen at this level. Meanwhile, the singles title went to Biryukov, who edged Belarusian Ilya Ivashka in another three-set battle. The week-long event also showcased several promising Indian singles performances, reinforcing the sense that domestic Challenger tournaments are becoming vital platforms for emerging talent. With the KSLTA stadium providing world-class facilities, Bengaluru continues to attract international fields and enthusiastic local crowds.