Yuki Bhambri on verge of becoming first Indian since Somdev Devvarman to break into top-80s of ATP rankings
What's the story?
It's a great day for Indian tennis as Yuki Bhambri does himself and the nation proud by breaching into the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. Playing in the Taipei Challenger, Bhambri along with India's other top single's player, Ramkumar Ramanathan have qualified for the semi finals of the $150,000 Taipei Challenger.
In case you didn't know...
The 25-year-old, Indian who is currently placed at 105 in the ATP Rankings has tasted much success in his Junior career. Bhambri reached the Junior No. 1 ranking in the world in February 2009. He won the Junior Australian Open Boys singles title in 2009 by beating Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas of Greece in the finals too.
The heart of the matter
Playing in the Taipei Challenger and seeded 4th, Yuki Bhambri made little work of local qualifier Chien-Hsun Lo 6-4, 6-2. On the other hand, sixth seeded Ramkumar Ramanathan dispatched third seed and world number 98, Israel’s Dudi Sela in the same fashion.
Brushing off this major quarter final win which has granted him access once more into the Top 100, Yuki will head to the semis and take on Japan's eighth seeded Tatsuma Ito. He has been assured that he will be getting a 45 points boost that will carry him into the Top 100 rankings safely.
What's next?
Yuki's highest ever ranking in his Professional Career had come in November 2015 when he became World No. 88. After that long drought, Yuki has been able to dive back and book himself a berth in the Top 100 yet again. Moreover, if Yuki manages to outplay Tatsuma Ito in the semis, he will be breaking into the Top 80 too. This would make him the first Indian since Somded Devvarman to make it to the top 80s on the ATP rankings.
Author's take
Truth be told, India's performance is on the rise in the sporting radar and Yuki's recent success in the Taipei Challenger is a brilliant example of that. Aside from the medals streaming in from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, it's heartening to see India taking little steps towards glory in other arenas as well. The exceptionally talented player that Yuki is, this kind of news calls for much celebration. Honestly, Bhambri shoulders the majority of our hopes when it comes to Indian tennis and therefore this news fills us with great excitement. We cannot wait for young Yuki to invade new territories and claim his much deserved glory.