Melbourne, January 14: Continuing his good form from the last season, Yuki Bhambri on Sunday qualified for the Australian Open with a come-from-behind win but Ramkumar Ramanathan missed out on his maiden Grand Slam appearance.
The 25-year old Bhambri overcame a first set lapse to tame Canadian Peter Polansky 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the third and final qualifying round in one hour and 55 minutes.
Brilliant Yuki Bhambri qualifies for main draw after defeating Polansky Peter 1-6,6-3,6-3 of final qualifying round at #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Que2c6FZvU
— tanmoypaul (@tanmoy_sports) January 14, 2018
It will be third Australian Open men's singles main draw for Bhambri who had lost in the first round in 2015 and 2016 to Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych respectively.
Meanwhile, Ramkumar had a break chance in the fifth game of the decider but could not convert and eventually lost his third round match 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 to Canadian Vasek Pospisil.
At Grand Slams, it is Ramkumar's best show, reaching the final qualifying round.
News from AO qualifiers. While Yuki Bhambri has advanced to the main draw, Ramkumar Ramanathan has just lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 to former World No 25 Vasek Pospisil.
— Sports Express (@Xpress_Sports) January 14, 2018
Bhambri, who was junior world number one, had won Australian Open boys singles tile here in 2009 and has played only at this Grand Slam in the main draw since turning Pro.
Asked what makes him perform at Melbourne Park, Bhambri told PTI," I don't know what makes me play better here. Maybe the conditions suit me or I am just familiar with it because I have played here before."
In his first two attempts, Bhambri could not make much of the chance as he drew very strong opponents for his opening matches.
"I am hoping for a better draw of course. I am hoping that I can win a few rounds in the main draw," said Bhambri, who won his sixth ATP Challenger title in Pune in November.
Qualifier @yukibhambri will take on experienced Marcos Baghdatis in the 1st round of the @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/W4S9NVQs3m
— Indian Tennis Daily (@OfficialITD) January 14, 2018
Asked about the first set against the Canadian world number 140, Bhambri said,"It was a nervous start but once I got my rhythm, I started playing more freely.”
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