Myneni loses in first round, Khade qualifies for main draw

BENGALURU: It was a mixed day for India at the ATP Bengaluru Open I with Arjun Kadhe bringing cheers by storming into the main round while wild card entrant Saketh Myneni went down without a whimper against Italian Gian Marco Moroni in the opening round. Myneni lost 1-6, 1-6 to Moroni in a first round match, Khade got the better of Alexander Erler of Austria 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of qualifiers.

As the number of Indians in the fray reduced to six amongst the 32 vying for the coveted title, Khade faces fifth seed Altug Celikblek of Turkey in the first match on Tuesday.

Meanwhile in the other first round matches played at the KSLTA courts here on Monday, fancied players -- third seed Aleksandar Vukic of Australia and fourth seed Hugo Grenier of France -- marched into the pre-quarterfinals with contrasting wins.

While Vukic won over his countrymate Jason Kubler 7-5, 6-4, Grenier dropped a set before beating Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 margin.

Earlier in the day after another Indian Mukund Sasikumar had lost to Borna Gojo of Croatia, Khade with his strong forehand and some good serves outplayed Austrian Alexander Erler 6-3, 6-4. The margin could have been wider but for some unforced errors by the Indian player. IANS

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