India’s Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar fought back from a set down to win the men’s doubles title at the Lexington Open, an ATP Challenger 75 tournament in Kentucky.
The third-seeded duo defeated American pair Andre Ilagan and Karl Poling 6-7 (1), 6-3, 11-9 in a thrilling final lasting one hour and 42 minutes. The victory marked Poonacha’s 11th ATP Challenger doubles title and his fifth of the 2026 season. It was also Poonacha and Escobar’s first title together on the ATP Challenger circuit. Poonacha has enjoyed a strong season, winning titles in Lyon, Bengaluru, Menorca and Chennai with different partners.
The Indian-Ecuadorian pair also overcame top seeds Ray Ho and Ivan Liutarevich en route to the Lexington crown.