Yuki Bhambri reaches second round of qualifying at the US Open

India’s highest ranked men’s tennis player Yuki Bhambri has cleared the first hurdle in his attempt to qualify for the US Open men’s singles draw.

20 year old Bhambri, ranked a career high no. 189, upset 8th seed and world no. 109 Horacio Zeballos 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) on Court no. 10 on Tuesday in the first round match. Bhambri will now meet Belgian Maxime Authom in the second round. Authom beat Italian Matteo Viola 6-2, 6-4 in his first round match.

Players need to win three rounds to earn a berth in the main draw of the US Open which begins on Monday 27th August. Bhambri and Authom will play their second round match on Thursday with the final round of qualifying scheduled to take place on Friday.

Bhambri is attempting to make an appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. The 20 year old was a former junior world no. 1 and junior Australian Open champion and is having his best season on the pro circuit this year.

Having started the year ranked outside the top 300, Bhambri has transitioned successfully from the Futures circuit to the Challenger circuit – one level below the ATP tour.