Jeevan and Purav in quarterfinals of Indian Wells Challenger

Fourth seeds Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Purav Raja got off to a winning start in the $150,000 Challenger tennis tournament in Indian Wells.

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Purav Raja (not in image) moved to the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Challenger. (file image)

Fourth seeds Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Purav Raja opened with a 6-2, 7-6(7) victory over Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka of the United States in the $150,000 Challenger tennis tournament in Indian Wells. In the $75,000 Challenger in Yokohama, the Indian challenge ended, as Prajnesh Gunneswaran was beaten in three sets by the top seed Jordan Thompson of Australia who had won the Challenger in Chennai recently. In doubles, Sriram Balaji seeded second with Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan was beaten in straight sets by Tobias Kamke and Tim Puetz of Germany. In the ITF women’s tournament in Turkey, Riya Bhatia beat fourth seeded  Dea Herdzelas of Bosnia Herzegovina in straight sets in the first round. In Egypt, Pranjala Yadlapalli in partnership with Angelina Gabueva of Russia beat the top seeds An-Sophie Mestach of Belgium and Despina Papamichail of Greece 4-6, 7-5, 10-5 in the doubles pre-quarterfinals, winning four points from 6-5 in the super tie-break. The results: $150,000 Challenger men, Indian Wells, US Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan & Purav Raja bt Taylor Fritz & Reilly Opelka (US) 6-2, 7-6(7). $75,000 Challenger men, Yokohama, Japan Singles (first round): Jordan Thompson (Aus) bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Tobias Kamke & Tim Puetz (Ger) bt Yasutaka Uchiyama (Jpn) & Sriram Balaji 6-4, 6-3. $15,000 ITF women, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Angelina Gabueva (Rus) & Pranjala Yadlapalli bt An-Sophie Mestach (Bel) & Despina Papamichail (Gre) 4-6, 7-5, [10-5]. $15,000 ITF women, Antalya,, Turkey Singles (first round): Riya Bhatia bt Dea Herdzelas (BIH) 7-5, 6-4.