2 days ago
Mitsuki victorious in Astana, ends six-year doubles wait for Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Promising tennis player Mitsuki Leong claimed his first ITF doubles title since moving up to the senior ranks in Kazakhstan yesterday (Aug 9).
Partnering Czech player Dominik Palan, the duo defeated Uzbekistan pair Damir Abdusamadov-Amir Milushev 6-0, 6-2 in a straightforward final to claim the title (M15) in Astana.
Mitsuki-Palan had earlier beaten Aleksandr Lobanov (Rus)-Grigoriy Lomakin (Uzb) 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 in the semi-finals and Alexey Aleschev (Rus)-Adrian Arcon (Aus) 6-3, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.
It is Mitsuki's second career title after winning the singles in Nakhon Si Thammarat (M15) in Thailand in 2023.
Mitsuki, who turned 21 on Aug 6, was all smiles after clinching the title.
"I have never partnered this player (Palan) before. Honestly, at the start of the week I did not expect us to win the title," said Mitsuki.
"But we gelled well and were able to go all the way.
"It feels great to be able to win my first doubles title, I have been working hard to improve my game over the past six months.
"I have been trying to improve my game all around and be more solid.
"I feel like I have been playing good tennis for the past two weeks in both singles and doubles. I hope to continue building up my performances in my upcoming tournaments."
Mitsuki is the first Malaysian since Christian Didier Chin to win an ITF doubles title. Christian, partnering Singapore's Ng Hao Yuan, won in Singapore (M15) in 2019.
The Ipoh-born had also reached the singles quarterfinals in Astana, losing to second seed Russian Petr Bar Biryukov 7-5, 6-4.
Mitsuki, who has support from KLKCare, WEIL Hotel, HTM Pharmacy and Sanctband Global, will next compete in a number of ATP Challenger Tour events in Greece over the next few weeks.
