PUNE: Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha could have won in straight sets but eventually came through in three sets. It didn't matter.
The 6-3, 6-7(2), 7-6(3) win in 2 hours and 37 minutes against world No. 216 Goncalo Oliveira, which sent him through to the second round of the $130,000 PMRDA Maha Open on Monday, is the biggest win of his career yet.
The 28-year-old from Coorg had two break-points in the 11th game of the second set but his Portuguese rival, ranked 216, proved to be sharper in the crucial moments.
The duo exchanged breaks early in the decider before the Indian weathered two break-points to hold serve in the seventh game which lasted more than 14 minutes. In the climactic shoot-out, Niki nudged ahead 4-2 and maintained the advantage to come through the brutal contest.
Mukund Sasikumar, another main draw wild card, needed just 55 minutes to beat eighth seed Federico Gaio of Italy 6-3, 6-2.
