French Open | Yuki Bhambri to kickoff against Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu
India’s only representative from men’s singles in the season’s second Grand Slam, Yuki Bhambri has been pitted against Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu in the first round. Apart from him, India’s only hope was Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who lost 6-3, 6-4 to Swedish Elias Ymer on Friday in qualifying round.
The much-awaited French Open draw on Thursday will see clay debutant Bhambri take on a formidable opponent, Lu, against whom he has played twice so far and lost on both the occasions. Though Lu hasn’t been excellent on clay, he will be vastly banking on his experience to progress into the next round. In his last 10 games on clay, Lu has a 2-8 record with the last match coming in Busan Challenger.
India waited with baited breath to see if they could get another player in the singles of the prestigious tournament but Gunneswaran could only manage a humbling defeat at the hands of Ymer in the third and qualifying round. Their other hope, Ankita Raina had already failed to make it past the women’s singles qualifying draw.
India’s only hope though, and a big one, of course, would be in the doubles event where likes of Diviji Sharan, Bhambri, and Rohan Bopanna would participate. While Sharan has been paired with Bhambri, Bopanna has teamed up with Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Purav Raja will play alongside Fabrice Martin, as they all await their opponents in the doubles draw, which will take place on May 27.