Yuki crashes out in first round, India’s hopes in singles event dashed

NEW DELHI: India’s top singles player Yuki Bhambri crashed out of the French Open after losing his first-round match to Ruben Bemelmans of Begium in straight sets.

Yuki, who was India’s only entry into the singles main draw, went down 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and 10 minutes. The Delhi boy will be disappointed with his performance as he had cranked up good form in the lead up to the Grand Slam. Yuki, ranked 93, was playing at Roland Garros for the first time, though he has appeared in Australian Open thrice but failed to cross the first round.

Yuki was facing Bemelmans, ranked 110 in ATP charts, for the second time and had won their previous encounter at the ATP Delhi Open in 2015. The Indian was let down by his service game. He was broken eight times by Bemelmans and could convert only four break points. He had first serve win percentage of 58 compared to 64 of Bemelmans.

After his exit from singles, Yuki will be looking to give his all in doubles where he has paired up with another Delhi boy and friend Divij Sharan. They would meet compatriot Purav Raja and Frenchman Fabrice Martin in the first round.

In men’s doubles, Rohan Bopanna and his French partner Edouard Roger-vasselin advanced to the second round after beating the American pair of Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz. Bopanna and Roger-vasselin, seeded 13th, did not break much sweat as they won 6-3, 6-1. They converted four break points. Bopanna won his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last year in mixed doubles with Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski.