Wildcard Ramanathan enters his maiden ATP 250 quarters in Chennai

CROWD FAVOURITE RAMKUMAR RAMANATHAN rallied from a set down to beat the challenge of Alexander Kudryavtsev 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to progress into the quarter-finals of the ATP Chennai Open yesterday. This will also be the Indian’s first ATP 250 quarters outing. 

After Kevin Anderson withdrew from the tournament, the Russian as a lucky loser found a place in the main draw yesterday and displayed some wonderful tennis to nail the first set. That said, wildcard Ramanathan hit back with some flurry of winners and booming serves to level the match at one set apiece. 

In the decider, the 21-year-old kept coming up with high percentage tennis and managed to break his opponent at the closing stages of the third set. In the end, Ramanathan held his nerve, served it out to close the match in an hour and 50 minutes. 

Ramanathan has already bagged 45 ATP points, which will surely help him climb the rankings quickly and will face World no. 45 Aljaz Bedene of Britains in the quarters today. 

Delighted after his win, Ramanathan said, 

"I was going too fast. I was making him play. Got the confidence through the third set. Alexander is a great player, goes for his shots. He made me run, it was not easy but I found my way.”