Nitture and Sadiq Finish as Doubles Runners-Up at ITF W15 Gurugram
Top seeds Akanksha Nitture and Soha Sadiq reached their first ITF doubles final of 2025 at ITF W15 Gurugram, held at The Tennis Project under the directorship of Indian BJK Cup captain Vishal Uppal. The Indian pair went down 4-6, 3-6 against Malaysia’s Shihomi Li Xuan Leong and Korea’s Jiho Shin in the title match.
The Indian duo’s tournament journey revealed their capacity to adapt in challenging situations. They won against compatriots Mahika Khanna and Sahira Singh 6-0, 6-2 in the opening round, then showcased their resilience against Singapore’s Eva Marie Desvignes and Malaysia’s Elsa Wan in the quarterfinals. After dropping the first set 3-6, they responded with a 6-0 second set before sealing the match 10-6 in the super tiebreak.
The Semifinal That Defined Their Week
Their semifinal against third seeds Sravya Shivani Chilakalapudi and Pranjala Yadlapalli became their most demanding Doubles test of the tournament. Trailing 5-7 in the opener, Nitture and Sadiq bounced back, leveling the match with a thrilling 7-6(7) second set before controlling the super tiebreak 10-5. The all-Indian encounter showcased both pairs’ development while highlighting the top seeds’ ability to respond with strength when trailing.
The Doubles final showcased two well-prepared teams executing their respective game plans, with Leong and Shin ultimately prevailing 6-4, 6-3 through consistent play during clutch moments.
Nitture and Sadiq’s first final of 2025 demonstrates the growing strength of their partnership and underscores the vital role home tournaments play in Indian tennis development. Last week’s W15 Gurugram saw Indian players sweep the podium in all-India Singles & Doubles Finals, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from the domestic circuit. These events provide players with regular opportunities to compete against international opposition while building confidence on home courts, creating a foundation for sustained growth across Indian tennis. The Indian duo’s runner-up finish adds another building block to both their partnership and the broader momentum of Indian tennis.
