Ramakumar’s dream run begins in Chennai; set to enter top 200 and more ATP tourneys

LOCAL BOY RAMAKUMAR RAMANATHAN made headlines by reaching his first ever quarter-finals appearance of an ATP 250 event but his dream run in Chennai came to an end yesterday after the Indian went down to Britain’s Aljaz Bedene in three tight sets 7-6(5),4-6,3-6. 

Although, the crowd favourite Ramanathan might be disappointed on not winning the match, but should find solace in the fact he fought bravely till the last point. The 21-year-old went toe-to-toe with World no.45 Bedene, out-hit the Brit on several occasions and also displayed great courage in saving a bunch of match-points. Ramanathan also showed signs of great match fitness and awareness in the grueling two-hour battle. 

Earlier, the World No.248 entered the tournament as a wildcard and produced arguably the best tennis in his short career till now. Ramanathan might not have made the semis, but will certainly add 45 points to his tally to climb up the ATP rankings. 

After the updated ATP rankings get released on Monday, the Indian is poised to move quite a few places up in the men’s rankings. Ramanathan currently has 209 points to his credit and will add 45 more to his tally, which is likely to help him crack into the top-200 by next week.

The Chennai native will continue playing the ATP challengers for the next two months and a further surge in the rankings will see the Indian enter the bigger ATP tournaments.