Wimbledon 2019 | P Gunneswaran loses in straight sets against Milos Raonic; bows out

With Raonic, a former finalist in the event, and India’s top-ranked tennis player just returning from a shoulder injury, things were always going to be tough both physically as well as experience wise for Gunneswaran.

And it was rightly seen when despite putting a string fight the World No. 95 lost 6-7 (1), 4-6, 2-6 in the very first round on Monday. Gunneswaran had gotten off to an encouraging start with his characteristic powerful ground strokes as he took the first set to a tie-breaker. 

However, lack of experience saw the Canadian player getting an early 3-1 lead and he wasn’t losing the set from there. He was quick to take the next four points to seal the set. After smelling victory that early in the game, Raonic wasn’t letting his momentum go and was able to break Gunneswaran in the first service of the second set.

The Indian player had two break points in the next game but couldn’t capitalize on it letting Raonic run away with the set and having the much-needed two-set cushion. The third set wasn’t very different either as Raonic broke Prajnesh in the first game yet again. 

This time, however, he followed it up with another break in the fifth one to lead 4-1 before it was just a matter of time. The match ended in less than two hours.