New Delhi: The Indian swing of the ITF World Tennis Tour, which began early in March, will conclude on Sunday with India's Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha taking on Oliver Crawford of the US in the ITF men's $15,000 New Delhi final at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium.
The 25-year-old Poonacha, aiming to earn a maiden home win in the ITF World Tennis Tour event, reached the final after Czech teenager Dalibor Svrcina gave him a walkover.
"It's been a great tournament for me. This is my first final of the year. The first few rounds were a struggle, but I think, towards the end of each match, I was getting better. Unfortunate for Dalibor, but I got a walkover and I think tomorrow will be a big day for me," said Poonacha, who is the second Indian after Saketh Myneni (ITF M15 Lucknow) to have reached the singles final in the six ITF World Tennis Tour events held in India this March.
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Poonacha's run this week is in sharp contrast to the season he has had so far, and he is keen to make full use of the opportunity and win his second ITF World Tennis Tour title -- and first since 2018.
"The last three weeks, I lost in the first round. I had some injuries. So making a final, it's pretty good for me," added Poonacha.