Abhishek Bastola Stuns Former ATP No. 650 in Bengaluru Comeback

Bastola Secures Major Victory

Nepali tennis player Abhishek Bastola defeated India’s Suraj R Prabodh in a three-set UTR Pro Tennis Tour match on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bengaluru, India. Bastola won 4–6, 6–2, 6–3 after two hours and 51 minutes, completing an impressive comeback against the former ATP World No. 650 as he continues competing internationally to gain experience and strengthen Nepal’s presence in professional tennis.

Slow Start, Strong Response

Bastola faced early pressure and lost the opening set 4–6. Instead of allowing Prabodh to control the rest of the match, the Nepali player responded with greater consistency and took the second set 6–2.

With the contest tied at one set each, Bastola maintained his momentum in the deciding set. He secured the third set 6–3 to complete the comeback and claim one of the most notable victories of his current campaign.

Nearly Three Hours on Court

The match lasted two hours and 51 minutes, underlining how competitive the encounter was. Bastola had to recover mentally and physically after falling behind, then sustain his level through two additional sets to finish the match.

His ability to turn the contest around after losing the first set made the result particularly significant. Rather than winning through a quick straight-set performance, Bastola had to adjust during the match and remain composed until the final set.

Experienced Indian Opponent

Prabodh brought considerable professional experience into the contest. The Bengaluru-born, right-handed player achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 650 on December 24, 2018.

He has also competed in professional ITF events and previously appeared in the Bengaluru Open. His preferred playing surface is hard court, the same surface used for the UTR Pro Tennis Tour event in Bengaluru.

Defeating an opponent with an established ATP background adds importance to Bastola’s result, particularly as Nepali players receive relatively limited exposure to high-level international tournaments.

Representing Nepal Internationally

Bastola, 28, is listed by the International Tennis Federation as a Nepali men’s singles player. His participation in the Bengaluru competition gives Nepal representation in a tournament featuring players from different national and professional backgrounds.

Reports from Nepal have described him as the first and only Nepali player competing on the UTR Pro Tennis Tour. His performance against Prabodh demonstrates that Nepali tennis players can compete successfully against opponents with greater professional ranking experience.

What Comes Next

Following the victory over Prabodh, Bastola was scheduled to face Norway’s Baltazar Wiger Nordås in his next Group C match at the UTR PTT Bengaluru Men 02 event on Wednesday, July 22.

Because the competition is listed as a group-stage event, it is more accurate to describe Nordås as Bastola’s next opponent rather than automatically calling the match a knockout “next round.”

The match against the Norwegian player presents another important test as Bastola seeks to continue his strong performance in Bengaluru.

A Significant Moment for Nepali Tennis

Nepal has traditionally had limited representation in international professional tennis compared with countries possessing larger training systems, tournament structures and financial resources.

Bastola’s comeback victory therefore carries meaning beyond one result. Beating a former top-650 ATP player provides encouraging evidence that Nepali athletes can challenge experienced international opponents when they receive opportunities to compete regularly.

The victory could also bring greater attention to tennis in Nepal and highlight the importance of investing in coaching, facilities, international exposure and competitive opportunities for emerging players.