Sasi Kumar Mukund edges out Saketh Myneni in Busan Challenger

Rohan Bopanna in partnership with Dominic INglot of Britain had to endure another early exit, as the Indo-British pair was beaten 7-6(4), 6-3 in the doubles first round by Guido Pella and Joao Sousa in the Madrid Open ATP-1000 tennis tournament in Spain on Monday.

Bopanna and partner had been beaten 12-10 in the super tie-break in the last clay court ATP event in Munich by Divij Sharan and Marcelo Demoliner who went on to make the final.

The first round loss in Madrid meant no ATP point for Bopanna and partner who shared €12,580.

In the $162,480 Challenger in Busan, Sasi Kumar Mukund battled hard for two hours and 45 minutes to tame Davis Cupper and compatriot, Saketh Myneni, 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-5.

While Sasi Kumar converted four of 25 break points, Saketh converted four of nine breakpoints. Saketh served 10 aces to six by Sasi Kumar, and the latter edged ahead by winning 131 points in the match to 130 by Saketh.

The results:

€ 7,279,270 ATP-1000, Madrid, Spain
Doubles (first round): Guido Pella (ARG) & Joao Sousa (POR) bt Dominic Inglot (GBR) & Rohan Bopanna 7-6(4), 6-3.

$162,480 Challenger, Busan, Korea
Singles (first round): Sasi Kumar Mukund bt Saketh Myneni 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-5.

$54,160 Challenger, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Singles (first round): Sanjar Fayziev (UZB) bt Arjun Kadhe 5-7, 7-5, 6-4.

(Courtesy: The Hindu)