Indian tennis participant Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha achieved a major profession milestone on Friday by profitable the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff alongside Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro, incomes a main-draw wild card entry for the 2026 Australian Open males’s doubles.The Indo-Thai pair demonstrated constant efficiency all through the event, defeating Japanese duo Seita Kusuhara and Katsuki Nakagawa 6-4, 6-3 within the last to safe their spot at Melbourne Park.This victory marks an important breakthrough for the 30-year-old Indian participant, who will make his Grand Slam main-draw debut after spending most of his profession competing in ATP Challenger and ITF circuits.Poonacha reached his career-high doubles rating of world No. 98 final 12 months and has accrued six Challenger doubles titles. The wildcard entry now gives him a possibility to compete in opposition to top-ranked pairs at certainly one of tennis’s main tournaments.This qualification strengthens India’s presence in Grand Slam doubles occasions, an space the place the nation has traditionally proven appreciable success.
Within the singles class of the regional play-off, Indian participant Sumit Nagal participated however was eradicated within the quarterfinals of the 16-player competitors.The Australian Open event is scheduled to start on January 12 in Melbourne.