Yuki Bhambri beat Italy’s Marco Cecchinato in the opening round of the qualifiers in the Chennai Open on Saturday, PTI reported.

The 2014 Chennai Open quarter-finalist, who returned to the circuit after a long injury layoff, romped to a 7-5, 6-1 victory in one hour and 10 minutes.

Bhambri will next take on Argentina’s Nicolas Kicker, who got the better of Sasi Kumar Mukund of India. Mukund bowed out of the first round after losing 7-6(7), 3-6, 5-7.