N. Sriram Balaji and Neil Oberleitner added another feather to their cap by winning the ATP Challenger 125 men’s doubles at Terre de Pyrenees Open in Pau. The Indo-Austrian top seeds triumphed over Jacob Paul and Matej Vosel 6-1, 3-6, [13-11] in a super tie-break finale that captivated the crowd for 77 minutes.
From the outset, Balaji and Oberleitner dictated terms, dismantling their opponents’ serves with ferocious returns and dominating the net to pocket the first set convincingly. The second frame saw a resurgence, as Paul-Vosel knotted the score and edged ahead to force the matchbreaker.
Drama unfolded in the super tie-break: a 4-1 lead evaporated amid a comeback, culminating in a match point for the challengers at 10-9. Ice-cool, the favorites repelled the threat and struck on their third chance, erupting in celebration.
Marking their third team title of 2024 after Nonthaburi 2 and Bahrain Open, this win elevates Balaji’s Challenger doubles tally to 16. The Indian star, fresh from partnering Rohan Bopanna at Paris Olympics, continues to shine.
Their tournament run was masterful—semifinal victory over Martin de Bruin and Michael Vrbensky 7-5, 7-6(1), preceded by routine early wins. As the season progresses, this pair’s form signals they are serious contenders for bigger stages ahead.