US-born Indian Prakash Amritraj put up a spirited fight against Brazil’s 17th-seeded Joao Souza before losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-8 in the first round of the French Open qualifiers in Paris.
Prakash, who is 142 rungs below Souza at 270, has never entered the main draw at Roland Garros.
The Indian recovered from an early break of service to take the first set in 40 minutes but frittered the momentum in the second and Souza broke him twice to make it set-all. The decider was keenly fought and the Indian saved six break points before losing the seventh to bow out after a little over two hours.
India’s Somdev Devvarman, who beat Czech Jiri Vanek over three sets in the first round, faces Daniel King-Turner of New Zealand in the second.
