ATP Challenger: Yuki Bhambri in second round

Yuki Bhambri negotiated a tough first set before defeating qualifier Matija Pecotic of Croatia 7-6(5), 6-1 in the first round of the $50,000 ATP Challenger tennis tournament in Lexington, Kentucky.

In the pre-quarterfinals, Yuki was scheduled to play Brydan Klein of Britain who beat Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-3, 6-3.

Ankita bows out

In the $125,000 WTA event in Nanchang, China, Ankita Raina and Ekaterina Bychkova (Russia) lost in the doubles pre-quarterfinals 6-1, 6-2 to the Korean pair of Han Na-Lae and Jang Su Jeong.

Surprise exit

Dhruthi Venugopal made a surprise exit in the first round of the $10,000 ITF women’s event in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Elina Nepliy of Russia.

The 18-year-old Dhruthi, partnering Kateryna Sliusar of Ukraine, was in the doubles quarterfinals with a bye in the first round.

The results:

$50,000 Challenger men, Lexington, Kentucky: Singles (first round): Brydan Klein (GBr) bt Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-3, 6-3; Yuki Bhambri bt Matija Pecotic (Cro) 7-6(5), 6-1.

$125,000 WTA women, Nanchang, China: Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Han Na-Lae & Jang Su Jeong (Kor) bt Ankita Raina & Ekaterina Bychkova (Rus) 6-1, 6-2.

$10,000 ITF women, Sharm El Sheik, Egypt: Singles (first round): Elina Nepliy (Rus) bt Dhruthi Venugopal 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

$10,000 ITF women, Valladolid, Spain: Doubles (quarterfinals): Maria Del Rosario Canero Perez & Paula Del Cueto Castillo (Esp) bt Laura Deigman (GBr) & Tanisha Rohira 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.