India’s Yuki Bhambri continued his fine run in the American hard-court circuit with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Mirza Basic of Bosnia-Herzegovina to reach the second round of the Miami Open on Thursday.
Bhambri, who had to come through the qualifying rounds, needed an hour and 32 minutes to get the better of an opponent ranked 32 places above him in the ATP rankings. He will now face eighth seed Jack Sock, who had received a bye in the first round.
The 25-year-old Indian started strong by earning a break point on Basic’s serve in the very first game but could not covert the advantage and then had to wait till the seventh game to gain the lead.
However, the world No 75 struck back immediately despite Bhambri managing to save three break points from 0-40 to level the scores at 4-4. The Indian world No 107 finally managed to break Basic again the 11th game and then held his serve with ease to pocket the first set.
The second set was a slightly easier affair as Bhambri broke Basic in the very first game. Though the Bosnia-Herzegovina player managed to draw things level in the fourth game, the Indian was in total control – breaking the opponent twice more – to clinch the first round encounter on his third match point.
Bhambri saved five of the seven break points against him and managed to win 71% of his second serve points.