Sharath Kamal Wins Oman Open, Ends Decade-Long Wait For Pro Title

India’s ace paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal held his nerves and maintained his composure in the deciding moments as he toppled the top-seed Marcos Freitas of Portugal to clinch the ITTF Challenger Plus Oman Open 2020 title on Sunday. In the men’s singles final, the veteran Indian campaigner recovered brilliantly from a game down to outclass Freitas 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 3-11, 17-15 to win his first Challenger event final nearly after a decade.

The 37-year-old Sharath last bagged a Pro tour title in 2010 when he won Egypt Open. Since then he made two semifinal appearances – Morocco Open in 2011 and India Open in 2017 – but couldn’t manage to get through it.

Earlier in the semifinals, Sharath pulled off a stunning come-from-behind victory against Russia’s Kirill Skachkov. Fourth-seeded Sharath made a sensational comeback after being two games down to register 11-13, 11-13, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7 win in a thrilling seven-set semi-final that lasted for one hour and eight minutes.