Qualifier Niki Poonacha took a dream to its logical end as he beat Michael Look of Australia 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the $25,000 ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament in Indonesia on Saturday.
It was the maiden singles title for the 23-year-old, ranked a modest 1111, who has won three doubles titles including one with Davis Cupper Ramkumar Ramanathan.
“I feel incredibly happy. It is my first singles title on the Tour, coming after a long wait. It is just a start. I will work hard to win more,” said Poonacha, who trains at the Rohan Bopanna tennis academy.
In the $100,000 Aptos Challenger in the US, eighth seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to fourth seed Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia in the quarterfinals.
Kokkinakis fired 10 aces, converted three of eight breakpoints, as against six aces and conversion of two of nine breakpoints by Prajnesh.
The results: $100,000 Challenger, Aptos, USA: Quarterfinals: Thanasi Kokkinakis (Aus) bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
$25,000 ITF men, Jakarta: Final: Niki Poonacha bt Michael Look (Aus) 6-3, 6-1 .
