2024 Shanghai Masters: Ramkumar Ramanathan bows out after Round of 128 defeat against Alexander Shevchenko
In a hard-fought battle at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, Indian tennis player Ramkumar Ramanathan faced Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko in the Round of 128 on Court 4 on Thursday (October 3). Unfortunately for Ramanathan, the match concluded with a scoreline of 6-1, 7-6(3) in favor of Shevchenko.
Ramkumar Ramanathan, ranked 332nd in the world, started the match on a shaky note. Shevchenko took an early lead and won the first set decisively.
The second set was an intense contest. Despite having breakpoint opportunities (0 out of 4) Ramkumar Ramanathan demonstrated tenacity throughout the set. Ultimately, the decisive moments in the tiebreak fell in favor of Shevchenko, who managed to seal the match with a 7-6(3) victory.
Ramanathan recorded eight aces, compared to Shevchenko's three, showcasing his strong serve. However, his eight double faults contributed to his struggles on critical points. Ramanathan achieved a 67% first-serve percentage, winning 68% of points on his first serve, while Shevchenko boasted an impressive 70% first-serve percentage and 83% win rate on his first serves.
The match saw Ramanathan win 51 points in total, whereas Shevchenko dominated with 74 points won. Ultimately, Ramanathan's inability to convert break points and a higher number of receiving points won by Shevchenko were pivotal in the match outcome.
Ramkumar Ramanathan's journey to the main draw
Before facing Shevchenko, Ramkumar Ramanathan showcased remarkable performances to secure his place in the main draw of the Shanghai Masters 2024. His journey began with a challenging first qualifier against Ugo Blanchet, a higher-ranked opponent at 140. In a match that highlighted his tenacity, Ramanathan clinched a hard-fought victory, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The encounter was a rollercoaster, with the two players exchanging breaks, but Ramanathan's poise in crucial moments allowed him to prevail in the final set.
In his next qualifier, Ramanathan faced China's Sun Fajing. This time, he was in control from the outset, delivering a commanding performance and winning the match 6-2, 6-4. He remained dominant throughout the contest, easing past Sun to secure his spot in the main draw of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event.