India top-ranked singles player Yuki Bhambri produced an easy victory over compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan to advance to the main draw of the season’s first Masters 1000 at Indian Wells. The ninth seed won 6-4, 6-2 in final qualifying round early on Thursday morning at the BNP Parisbas Open.
This will be Bhambri’s first Masters appearance in over nine years, the last time he reached a Masters main draw was back in 2009 at Miami. Ramkumar had played at Cincinnati last year as a lucky loser.
The world No 110 had earlier beaten Dennis Novikov 7-5, 7-5 in the first round but had a much easier outing against his fellow Indian finishing the match in just under 84 minutes.
Bhambri converted five out of six break points against the big-serving 20th seed and managed all but twice to hold serve despite facing 11 break points himself. His serve was not up to the mark with five double faults and only 68% on first serve, but he was better than Ramkumar on second serve to prevail in the match.
Bhambri, who also reached the main draw of the Australian Open earlier this year, will open his campaign at Indian Well against France’s Nicolas Mahut. who is currently world No 101.