Maharashtra Open: India’s No.1 Yuki Bhambri tames local boy Arjun Kadhe in opening round
India’s highest ranked singles player Yuki Bhambri qualified for the second round of the Maharashtra Open as he defeated local boy Arjun Kadhe in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in Pune on Wednesday at the Mhalunge Balewadi Stadium.
Meanwhile, defending champions Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan also advanced to the second round in the doubles category as they defeated fellow Indian duo of Leander Paes and Purav Raja in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Ranked 118th in the world, Yuki Bhambri started his match confidently as he absorbed the pressure put on him by his countryman Arjun Kadhe. 23-year-old Kadhe had entered the Tata Open Maharashtra as a wildcard, but showed no signs of inexperience in the first set. Whereas, Yuki not only served well but also returned Kadhe’s serves to take away any advantage that Kadhe could have had over him.
Bhambri and Kadhe won two each of the first four games to make it an interesting watch for the spectators, but it was Bhambri who showed why he is the top-ranked Indian in the world as he constantly put pressure on Kadhe with some precise back-hands which saw him win the first set 6-3.
25-year-old Bhambri carried forward his momentum from the first …read more
