Prajnesh is third Indian in 5 years in Slam main draw
MELBOURNE: Outlining his growth as a player, a consistent Prajnesh Gunneswaran sealed his maiden appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam by qualifying for the Australian Open men’s singles event here on Friday.
The 29-year-old from Chennai rallied to beat Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 in the third and final qualifying round. He is only the third Indian in five years to feature in the men’s singles main draw of a Grand Slam. The others are Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri.
Yuki played in all four Grand Slams in 2018 before a knee injury curtailed his season, Somdev, now retired, last played at the 2013 US Open. Prajnesh said: “It’s huge for me. First time ever in a Grand Slam main draw, something I have always dreamt of. I am really happy, don’t have words to describe it but it’s a big deal for sure. I am very proud that I stuck to it and put in all this work. I got here much later than most people do. I had the tennis to reach here, now just need to rest and recover for the main draw.”
Prajnesh will earn AUD 40,000 for winning three qualifying rounds and at least AUD 75,000 more as main draw prize purse.
He will open his campaign against US world No 39 Frances Tiafoe. If he crosses that hurdle, he is likely to face fifth seed and Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson.
BARTY CONTINUES RUN
Sydney:ashleigh Barty continued her strong run at the Sydney International with a semi-final win over Kiki Bertens, beating the Dutch player 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 Friday. Barty withstood 15 aces from Bertens in the 2-hour, 18-minute match to advance to her second consecutive final in Sydney.
CORNET UPSET
HOBART: Big-hitting American youngster Sofia Kenin reached her first WTA final when she stunned sixth seed Alize Cornet 6-2 6-4 at the Hobart International on Friday. In windy conditions, unseeded Kenin kept her composure to land 77 percent of her firstserves in play and broke her French opponent four times en route to a convincing victory.
FIRST FOR NORRIE
AUCKLAND: British No 2 Cameron Norrie reached his first ATP Tour final after beating German Jan-lennard Struff 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 at the ASB Classic in Auckland on Friday. Norrie saved eight of 10 break points he faced in the semifinal, which lasted two hours.