Bengaluru, Oct 17 (IANS) Indian top seed Yuki Bhambri has withdrawn from the $50,000 AirAsia Open citing fatigue and an overdose of tennis in recent weeks.
Yuki, who informed the organisers of his decision on Friday, has won several challenger events this year. The AirAsia Open is scheduled to be played here from October 19 to 25.
“I was really looking forward to come to Bangalore but unfortunately I’m having to pull out. I have played a lot of tennis over the last few weeks and have a few niggles. My body requires to recharge to play well in my remaining tournaments for this year. My apologies to tennis fans of AirAsia Open and I wish the tournament the best,” Yuki was quoted as saying in a statement on Saturday.
Ivan Nedelko of Russia also pulled out of the Challenger event, which allowed India’s Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, who was granted a wild card on Friday, to make the main draw. Jeevan’s wild card was handed out to another Indian, former Davis Cupper Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash.
Meanwhile, Indian players Christopher Marquis, Chandril Sood and Jayesh Pungliya were made to sweat before prevailing in the qualifiers of the AirAsia Open on Saturday.
Jayesh had to rally back from a set down to dispose off Niki Poonacha 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 while Marquis dropped the second before claiming the decider after winning the first set with a break in the 11th game against Vignesh Peranamallur.
Chandril Sood found tough competition in wild card entrant Rashein Samuel. The duo played out a competitive contest, Sood winning the first set 6-4 and losing the second 1-6 with Rashein roaring back.
However, Sood held his nerve in the decider to go a step closer towards qualifying for the main draw.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran easily defeated wild card Ribhav Ravikiran 6-0, 6-2. In the last match of the day, Lakshit Sood breezed past Anvit Bendre in straight sets, winning 6-3, 7-5.
