Saketh Myneni went down fighting to Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 4-6, 3-6 in the first round of the Chennai Open on Tuesday. The 2008 winner had plenty of problems coping with the Indian’s first serve. An early capitulation in the second set ensured a straight-sets win for Youzhny.
Yuki Bhambri, though, was in supreme touch and showed glimpses of getting back to his best as he tucked away Ramkumar Ramanathan with ease. Bhambri attacked with supreme authority to send the 22-year-old packing with a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 win.
Bhambri’s supreme touch
Bhambri’s play from behind the baseline rattled Ramanathan early on, leaving his opponent no chance with his forehand returns. Bhambri thoroughly outplayed Ramanathan at the net, where he won a string of points to clinch the first set, 6-1. There was no respite for Ramanathan in the second set too, where he repeatedly had a tough time with his groundstrokes.
Bhambri attacked the net with even more regularity, and cleverly deceived Ramanathan during the volleys too. The local boy also let himself down with his first serves, which was consistently poor. Bhambri broke Ramanathan’s serve thrice in the first set and twice in the second.
Youzhny rallies to beat Myneni
Momentum swung back and forth early on and it was Myneni who had the measure of the Russian. The Indian was outstanding with his first serve, through which he got full value. Youzhny was more potent from the baseline and steadily grabbed a foothold of the contest, winning the first set, 6-4.
The Russian composed himself in the second set and raced to a 3-0 lead, which would prove to be the difference between the two at the end of the set. Myneni’s play at the net gradually improved and continued to nick points from his ferocious serve. The Russian just about manage to hold off a comeback from the Indian to win the second set, 6-3.