The ATP 250 Boss Open in Stuttgart has seen a mixed bag of results for the Indian contingent, with Rohan Bopanna now the sole representative after the defeats of Yuki Bhambri and N. Sriram Balaji in the doubles competition.
Yuki Bhambri, partnering with American Robert Galloway, faced a tough challenge in the pre-quarterfinals against the Mexican-American duo of Santiago Gonzalez and Austin Krajicek. Despite a spirited effort, Bhambri and Galloway succumbed to a 6-7 (5), 6-7 (5) defeat. The match, lasting an hour and 34 minutes, saw both sets decided by tight tie-breakers, highlighting the closely contested nature of the encounter. Bhambri's exit marks the end of his run at the Boss Open.
N. Sriram Balaji, teaming up with Miguel Reyes-Varela of Mexico, also faced disappointment in their round of 16 match. They were pitted against the second-seeded French pair, Fabien Reboul and Sadio Doumbia. After taking the first set in a tie-breaker, Balaji and Reyes-Varela lost the momentum, eventually losing 6-7 (5), 6-3, 10-5.
Rohan Bopanna, the veteran Indian doubles star, remains the only hope for India at the tournament. Bopanna has partnered with Sander Gille of Belgium for the grass-court season, making their debut as a team at the Boss Open. The Indo-Belgian duo is set to face the local German pair of Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner. Bopanna, currently ranked World No. 33 in doubles and a reigning Australian Open men's doubles champion, brings a wealth of experience to the court. Gille achieved a career-high ATP Doubles ranking of #18. This new pairing promises an exciting blend of aggressive play and strategic finesse, particularly well-suited for the quick surfaces of the grass season.
Bopanna's experience on the tour and his powerful serve-and-volley game make him a formidable opponent, especially on grass courts. His partnership with Gille is expected to bring a blend of aggressive play and strategic finesse, well-suited for the fast-paced grass surface. Tennis fans can anticipate thrilling matches as this experienced pair looks to make an immediate impact on the tour.
The Boss Open, officially the 2025 Boss Open, is being held at the Tennis Club Weissenhof in Stuttgart, Germany, from June 9 to June 15, 2025. This ATP 250 tournament is played on outdoor grass courts and marks the 47th edition of the Stuttgart Open.
