Saketh Myneni qualifies for US Open

The last two Indians to have qualified for a singles Grand Slam tournament proper were Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman.

August 27, 2016 06:01 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 05:00 am IST - New York

Saketh Myneni took another significant step forward in his professional career by entering the main draw of the US Open. The 28-year-old Myneni, ranked 143 in the world, outplayed Pedja Krstin of Serbia 6-3, 6-0 in the third and final qualifying round. He did not drop a set in the three rounds of the qualifying event.

The main draw entry is worth a minimum of $43,313 to the Indian who considers the USA a second home, a place where he completed his college education and honed his tennis skills with professional support. “Glad that I got to do it at my home-away-from-home Grand Slam,” said Myneni. Injuries and fitness issues had troubled him during the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in the season.

“I am very happy with my progress and looking forward to the big challenges. It is a dream come true and I hope it is just the start of a new beginning,” said Myneni.

It has been an interesting season for Myneni. He had given a glimpse of things to follow by making the final of the Delhi Open Challenger when his all-round style, the deft touch in combination with his big game, shook many a quality player out of his comfort zone.

“It was something of a goal for me. The grind on the Tour for the last couple of years and the experience that revolves around it has made me better., Ramkumar Ramanathan lost 7-5, 6-1 in the first round to Alessandro Giannessi of Italy. He settled for $5,606.

The results: Qualifying event (third and final round): Saketh Myneni bt Pedja Krstin (Srb) 6-3, 6-0; Second round: Myneni bt Mitchell Krueger (USA) 7-6(6), 6-4.

First round: Myneni bt Albano Olivetti (Fra) 6-3, 7-5; Alessandro Giannessi (Ita) bt Ramkumar Ramanathan 7-5, 6-1.

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