Melbourne: Continuing his good form from the last season, Yuki Bhambri Sunday, qualified for the Australian Open with a come-from-behind win in the qualifiers while compatriot 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 to clinch his third Australian Open men’s singles main draw appearance. In his previous appearances he had lost to Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Meanwhile, Ramkumar lost against another Canadian Vasek Pospisil 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 after failing to convert a break chance he got in the fifth game of the decider. It was also Ramkumar’s best show in the Grand Slams, reaching the final qualifying round.
Speaking to the reporters after the match, Bhambri asserted that the condition at Melbourne Park suits him and that what makes him perform better at this venue. “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,” the former junior No.1 said.
However, Bhambri hopes to get a better draw and carry on this winning momentum in the main draw. “I am hoping for a better draw of course and hope that I can win a few rounds in the main draw,” said Bhambri, who won his sixth ATP Challenger title in Pune in November.
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