Myneni stunned, Sanam and Prashanth progress into R2 of ATP Pune Challenger

NO.5 SEED, SAKETH MYNENI suffered a first round defeat against Ilya Ivashkka of Belarus 7-5, 4-6, 2-6 at the KPIT ATP Challenger in Pune today. 

Serving behind in the first set, Saketh was broken early but was quick to even the match and later broke Ivashka’s serve to nail the set. However, the Belarusian quickly retaliated by breaking the Indian in the second set and leveled the match. In the decider, Ivashka kept the pressure on Myneni and eventually grabbed the tie in two hours. 

Meanwhile, Myneni’s doubles partner, Sanam Singh advanced to the second round comfortably after defeating Alessandro Bega 6-4, 6-1. 

Sanam won a high percentage of points on his first serve and also managed to break Bega’s serve on five occasions. In the end, Sanam got the job done in an hour and 15 minutes. 

Sanam will play his second round against Alexander Kudryavtsev of Russia. 

Qualifier, Ranjeet Murugesan lost a three-setter to Britain’s James Ward 2-6, 6-4, 0-6 in an hour and 27 minutes. Murugesan, fought back valiantly after losing the first set, but lost his way in the final set. In the end, a low percentage of points won on returning serve cost him the match. 

Vijay S Prashanth also moved without much drama to the second round after beating Arthur d Greef 6-4, 6-4. 

Prashanth now awaits the winner of Somdev Devvarman and Maxime Janvier match.
 

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