India’s Yuki Bhambri qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open, beating Canada’s Peter Polansky in the third and final qualifying match 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Melbourne on Sunday. However, Ramkumar Ramanathan went down in a tough three-setter to another Canadian Vasek Pospisil 4-6, 6-4, 4-6.
For Bhambri, 25, a former junior world No. 1, this will be his third appearance in the main draw of the Grand Slam tournament, with his previous two appearances also coming in Melbourne, in 2015 and 2016.
“I think it was a nervous start but once I got my rhythm a little bit, I started playing more freely. Hoping I can win a few rounds in the main draw,” Bhambri told The Hindu.
In his last two appearances, Bhambri drew Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych in the first round and lost in straight sets on both occasions, and would be hoping for a better luck with the draw this time around.
The world number 122, however, said he is just focused on getting his first win in a major, saying, “I am just as eager as I was to get past my first qualifying round.”
Bhambri will play Marcos Baghdatis in the first round.
