CHENNAI: Indian Davis Cupper Yuki Bhambri’s hopes of playing in the main round of the Aircel Chennai Open were dashed as he lost to local lad N Prasanth in the second round of the qualifiers, here on Sunday.
Yuki squandered a set advantage to lose 6—1 6—7(3) 3—6 in his second qualifying match of the 2015 season-opening ATP tour event.
Yuki started off well and looked the favourite to pocket the match in straight sets but Prasanth fought gallantly in the second and third sets to stun his fancied rival.
It was a bad beginning to the season for Yuki, ranked 249 on the ATP circuit. It looked he was not able to bear the hot and humid conditions this afternoon against local boy Prasanth, who is ranked below 500.
Other Indians to make it to the third round of the qualifiers on Sunday were another Chennai lad S Mukund, who disposed of German P Torebko 6—4 1—6 6—2, while K Kaza played superbly to withstand the onslaught of Russian A Kudryavtsev 6—4 6—7(5)7—6(4).
Results of second round qualifying matches:
N Prashanth (IND) beat Y Bhambri (IND) 1—6 7—6(3) 6—3
D Dzumhur (BIH) beat M Venus (NZL) 6—2 6—4
K Kaza (IND) beat A Kudryavtsev (RUS) 6—4 6—7(5) 7—6(4)
E Donskoy (RUS) beat E Gerasimov (BLR) 6—2 1—6 7—5
I Marchenko (UKR) beat V Vardhan (IND) 7—5 6—4
A Bedene (SLO) beat J Nedunchezhiyan (IND) 6—4 6—4
L Vanni (ITA) beat T Fabbiano (ITA) 6—4 6—2
S Mukund (IND) beat P Torebko (GER) 6—4 1—6 6—2
