Australian Open: Prajnesh loses to America's Tiafoe on Grand Slam debut, ends India’s singles challenge
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Gunneswaran, who had qualified for the main draw winning three matches on the trot, showed good fight but fell short on the big points in the match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who made his Grand Slam debut, went down 6-7(7), 3-6, 3-6 to American Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, ending India’s challenge in singles draw.
Gunneswaran, who had qualified for the main draw winning three matches on the trot, showed good fight but fell short on the big points in the match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes.
He had a set point in the first set Tiebreak and the first break in the second set, but couldn’t press the advantage against the world No 39 from America.
A set down, the 29-year-old Indian fought back remarkably to take the early break in the second set, but couldn’t consolidate and was broken right back, followed by another break in the second set in just over 30 minutes.
Polideportivo-Tenis:
— De Pelota Parada (@Depelotaparada_) January 14, 2019
🏆Abierto de Australia 2019/Primera Ronda:
🇺🇸Frances Tiafoe
7️⃣(9)-6️⃣-6️⃣
🇮🇳P. Gunneswaran
6️⃣(7)-3️⃣-3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/1ufhb4QVpE
The start of the third set called for a change in tactics but Prajnesh kept hitting flat and was broken early.