KP Pannu back in true fighting form

Kiranpal (KP) Pannu will play in his first ATP 500 event this week after returning from injury with two big wins in the United States.

The 26-year-old New Zealand pro, currently ranked 715 in the world, has been out with a foot injury for most of the year and returned to court over the weekend in true fighting form.

In a major upset, KP came back from a set down to beat world number 161 Denis Kudla from the United States (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) in the first round of qualifying at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington DC.

He then followed that up with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 win against young American Bruno Kuzuhara – ranked 629 in the world – to qualify for the main draw.

“It's been an epic few days,” KP told Tennis NZ on Monday morning (NZT).

“I couldn't have wished for a better comeback, this is my first pro tournament back and so to be here in the main draw now is just awesome and I'm looking forward to tomorrow, I'll just keep pushing and see what I can do.”

He will play world number 69, Aslan Karatsev, in the first round - Round of 64.

“I really have no expectation and haven't had any these last two matches and I think it's kind of helping me,” KP said.

“I'm just happy to be here, happy to see where my game matches up, and so far so good.”

The US-based Kiwi, who grew up in Wellington, had a successful summer back home, winning his first professional title just before Christmas at the EVES Open – ITF World Tennis Tour: Tauranga (M15). 

He then followed up that singles title with another win at the New Zealand wildcard playoff tournament in Auckland in early January, securing entry into the main draw of the ASB Classic.

In the first round of the ATP 250 event he played current world number 48 Richard Gasquet, losing 3-6, 1-6.

KP then played in New Zealand’s Davis Cup tie against Bulgaria in Christchurch in February.

He pushed current world number 174 Dimitar Kuzmanov to three sets, eventually losing 7-5, 3-6, 2-6.

It was during that Davis Cup event that KP suffered a foot injury.

“It was really hard to shake. It just took months and months and months but now it's almost totally better and I'm managing it well, so I'm honestly just grateful to be back out competing and everything else is a bonus,” he said.

“I'd almost go as far as saying that the time off was beneficial in many ways. Obviously not for my ranking, but I definitely believe a lot more,” he said.

KP said he watched a lot of tennis during his break, including re-visiting his past matches on the ATP Challenger Tour.

“I just really understand and believe that I'm good enough, whereas maybe I would say that in the past but I didn't actually really believe it.”

He said it had been a tough year “but everything happens for a reason”.

“I'm super blessed, so I'm just pumped to be back out there.”