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Australian Open 2018: India No.2 Ramkumar Ramananthan goes down fighting bravely
India's second ranked Ramkumar Ramanathan goes down fighting bravely to Canada's Vasek Pospisil 4-6 6-4 4-6 in a three-set encounter.
The tremenndous figthback that the World. no #141 showcased in one hour forty one minutes shall be the heartily remembered even though it was not enough for him to make it to the main draw.
The opening set cost the 23 year old Ramkumar as he could not convert a single Break-point despite having four opportunities at his disposal.
The 12 winners that the Indian hit did give him a respectable 4 games but Pospisil was quick to cruise and grab the set to make it 6-4.
The second set was when the 28th seed Indian came back firing all guns. Converting the crucial break, he was well aware at the work he had on hands. Winning 87% in second serve, the Indian did not falter or allow Pospisil to have a chance and finally bagged the set 6-4
In the third set too, Ramkumar gave a valiant fight. Winning 88% of his first serves and hammering 2 aces, he did reach 4-5 when Pospisil was already high on confidence. But failing to convert the break and the Canadian simply pounced on Ramkumar without wasting a second to take the match away.
In the duration of that entire match, it was that meagre 17% break points won as compared to 50% for the Canadian that actually proved fatal for the Indian.
It was a very close loss for the Chennai star. Nevertheless that brave fight was a treat for the fans. Ramkumar has made it to the Qualifying rounds of a Slam for the tenth time but a first time to the final round. He has yet to make it to the Main draw though.
He had made it to the Final Qualifying round by defeating Gleb Sakharov yesterday in a thrilling match replete with an intense tie-break that the Indian won.
India will now rely on its top-ranked Yuki Bhambri who has qualified for the Main draw. He takes on the very experienced Marcos Baghdatis in the Opening round of the Australian Open tomorrow.
Fans can watch the action on Court 8 at Melbourne park.
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