The 2025 Delhi Open, an ATP Challenger Tour event, commenced on February 10 and is scheduled to run through February 16 at the R K Khanna Tennis Complex in New Delhi.
The ATP Challenger Tour is a professional Men’s Tennis Circuit organized by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). It serves as a developmental platform for up-and-coming players aiming to break into the top levels of tennis.
Tournaments within the Challenger Tour offer a stepping stone for rising stars to gain experience, improve their rankings, and compete against experienced players. Though these events are organised at a smaller scale, yet they are essential for player development.
Chennai, a city with a long Tennis history, recently hosted an ATP Challenger tournament. It attracted elite competition and provided players with a significant platform to earn ranking points. The action has now moved to Delhi with two more ATP Challenger events scheduled for later this year.
Yesterday, eighth seed Timofey Skatov delivered a commanding performance against India’s Karan Singh, securing a 6-4, 6-0 victory in the first round. Though the Kazakh dominated the match, Singh showed tenacity and resolve against the higher-ranked Skatov.
One of the highlights of Singh’s performance was his ability to extend rallies. With his quick reflexes and excellent positioning, he managed to engage in several long rallies, forcing Skatov to work hard for every point. His performance was filled with moments that would have impressed any tennis enthusiast.
One of the standout rallies occurred during the fourth game of the first set, where Singh, despite being pushed to the baseline, managed to bring the ball back into play with a stunning backhand down the line. The rally lasted over 30 shots, with both players exchanging blistering forehands and skillful defensive shots. Eventually, Skatov was able to gain a breakpoint, but Singh’s fighting spirit made the rally an exciting showcase of his talent.
The momentum changed dramatically in Timofey Skatov’s advantage in the second set. Singh’s defense was overwhelmed by Skatov’s powerful groundstrokes and impenetrable serve. Singh fought valiantly, but Skatov’s unrelenting tactics were too much to bear. He stepped up his game, displayed his entire skill set, and dominated the match, winning 6-0 through a spectacular performance.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Skatov, who has been steadily climbing the ATP rankings. He will now face the winner of the match between Markek Gengel and Andre IIagan in the next round.
Matches are scheduled to begin daily at 10:00 AM IST. The tournament’s daily schedule and live results can be accessed on the ATP Tour’s official website.
