Oliver Crawford Clinches SM Krishna Memorial Open.
Third Title in a Row! Oliver Crawford Claims SM Krishna Memorial Open, Jay Clarke retires mid-final with ankle injury.
BNH NETWORK
Oliver Crawford praises India’s tennis culture and facilities after winning his fourth title of the season.
Bengaluru - In an unfortunate but eventful final at the SM Krishna Memorial Open in Bengaluru, second-seeded Oliver Crawford emerged victorious after top-seeded Jay Clarke retired mid-match due to an ankle injury. The match, played at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium, concluded with Crawford leading 5-2 in the first set.
Crawford, who came into the tournament riding a wave of confidence after back-to-back titles in Shenzen and Luan, began with blistering pace—breaking Clarke twice to jump to a 4-0 lead within the first 25 minutes.
Though Clarke, playing his fourth final in as many weeks, fought valiantly and managed to break back, the toll of a packed schedule and a recurring ankle injury eventually forced the 26-year-old Brit to call it quits after struggling in the eighth game.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Clarke said,
“It’s unfortunate, I hate retiring… but I have to make smart decisions like today to hopefully minimise the time off the court.”
Crawford, now a three-time champion in three weeks and with four titles this season, was both thrilled and empathetic.
“Obviously, that’s never the way you want to win a match… but it was the right decision for Jay,” he said. “The people here in Bengaluru have been amazing. I have nothing but praise for this place.”
Highlights:
- Crawford secures third consecutive title, building on wins in Shenzen and Luan.
- Clarke, top seed, retires with a right ankle injury, ending his stellar India run.
- Crawford now boasts four titles in 2025, signaling a career-best start.
- Tournament hailed for its organization and crowd engagement by players.
- Crawford praises the Indian tennis ecosystem, saying, "Exceptional experience in Bengaluru."
