Disappointment for tennis fans as Yuki Bhambri pulls out of AirAsia Open
In a major disappointment to the organizers of the $50,000 AirAsia Open Challenger event, Indian top seed Yuki Bhambri withdrew from the event late on Friday night. The Davis Cupper has been on a roll winning a few challenger events this year and making the last four or above of a few more events.
After losing in the semi-finals of a $125,000 event at Uzbekistan on Saturday, in a message Yuki said, “I was really looking forward to come to Bangalore but unfortunately I’m having to pull out. I have played a lot of tennis over the last few weeks and have a few niggles. My body requires to recharge to play well in my remaining tournaments for this year. My apologies to tennis fans of AirAsia Open and I wish the tournament the best”.
Russian Ivan Nedelko also pulled out allowing for next in line Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (Ind), who was granted a wild card on Friday, make the main draw. That Wild Card was handed out to another Indian, former National Champion Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash with an ATP ranking of 597.
FIVE INDIANS TAKE A STEP CLOSER
In a battle between Indians in the round of 16 of the qualifiers on the AirAsia Open, $50,000 Challenger event being conducted by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, Christopher Marquis, Chandril Sood and Jayesh Pungliya were stretched before prevailing on Saturday.
Jayesh had to rally back from a set down and dig deep into his reserves to dispose of Niki K Poonacha 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 while Marquis dropped the second before claiming the decider after winning the first set with a break in the 11th game against Vignesh Peranamallur.
Chandril Sood found competition with Wild Card entrant Rashein Samuel. The duo played out a competitive contest, Sood winning the first set 6-4, losing the second 1-6 with Rashein roaring back.
However Sood held his nerves in the decider to sail a step closer to qualifying for the main draw that begins on Monday, October 19.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran spent the least time on court when he easily defeated Wild Card Ribhav In the last match of the day Lakshit Sood breezed past Anvit Bendre in straight sets, winning 6-3, 7-5.
Qualifying round of 16: (All Indians): Christopher Marquis bt Vignesh Peranamallur 7-5, 2-6, 6-4; Chandril
Sood bt (wc) Rashein Samuel 6-4, 1-6, 6-4; Jayesh Pungliya bt Nikki K Poonacha 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; Prajnesh
Gunneswaran bt (wc) Ribhav Ravikiran 6-0, 6-2; Lakshit Sood bt Anvit Bendre 6-3, 7-5.