The breakthrough run at the Indian Wells has propelled India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran to a career-high rank of 84 but injured Yuki Bhambri on Monday dropped out of top-200 for the first time in almost two years.&nbsp;

In the recently released ATP rankings, Prajnesh had collected 61 points after reaching the third round at the ATP Master series event, where he beat world number 18 Nikoloz Basilashvili to register the biggest win of his career.&nbsp;

The performance helped him zoom 13 places to his new career-best ranking.&nbsp;

He was followed by Ramkumar Ramanathan (139), who dropped three places.&nbsp;

Both of them will try to qualify for the singles main draw of the Miami Masters this week.&nbsp;

Yuki, who is nursing a knee injury, slid 36 places to 207. The last time the Delhi player was placed outside the top-200 bracket was in July 2017.

Yuki is probably the most unlucky Indian singles player, whose progress has been halted by one or other injury. Whenever he has managed to break the top-100 bracket, injuries forced him to be out of action.&nbsp;

Yuki told PTI that he will return to competitive action in May with protected ranking.&nbsp;

The next best in the singles chart were Saketh Myneni (251, -5) and Sasi Kumar Mukund (268, +2). Mukund did not figure in even top-400 five months back and has shown good progress in this time period.&nbsp;

In the doubles, left-handed Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan touched a new career-high of 64 and was third highest-ranked played of the country after Rohan Bopanna (36,+2) and Divij Sharan (41, -1).&nbsp;

Purav Raja (80, -1) and veteran Leander Paes (94, +2) complete the top-five.&nbsp;

In the WTA rankings, Ankita Raina continues to be India's top-ranked player at 168 (-2) and was followed by Karman Kaur Thandi, who jumped seven places to 203.&nbsp;

The breakthrough run at the Indian Wells has propelled India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran to a career-high rank of 84 but injured Yuki Bhambri on Monday dropped out of top-200 for the first time in almost two years.

The breakthrough run at the Indian Wells has propelled India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran to a career-high rank of 84 but injured Yuki Bhambri on Monday dropped out of top-200 for the first time in almost two years. In the recently released ATP rankings, Prajnesh had collected 61 points after reaching the third round at the ATP Master series event, where he beat world number 18 Nikoloz Basilashvili to register the biggest win of his career. The performance helped him zoom 13 places to his new career-best ranking. He was followed by Ramkumar Ramanathan (139), who dropped three places. Both of them will try to qualify for the singles main draw of the Miami Masters this week. Yuki, who is nursing a knee injury, slid 36 places to 207. The last time the Delhi player was placed outside the top-200 bracket was in July 2017. Yuki is probably the most unlucky Indian singles player, whose progress has been halted by one or other injury. Whenever he has managed to break the top-100 bracket, injuries forced him to be out of action. Yuki told PTI that he will return to competitive action in May with protected ranking. The next best in the singles chart were Saketh Myneni (251, -5) and Sasi Kumar Mukund (268, +2). Mukund did not figure in even top-400 five months back and has shown good progress in this time period. In the doubles, left-handed Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan touched a new career-high of 64 and was third highest-ranked played of the country after Rohan Bopanna (36,+2) and Divij Sharan (41, -1). Purav Raja (80, -1) and veteran Leander Paes (94, +2) complete the top-five. In the WTA rankings, Ankita Raina continues to be India's top-ranked player at 168 (-2) and was followed by Karman Kaur Thandi, who jumped seven places to 203.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran rises to career-high 84 post Indian Wells run

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who made his Grand Slam debut, went down 6-7(7), 3-6, 3-6 to American Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, ending India’s challenge in singles draw.

Gunneswaran, who had qualified for the main draw winning three matches on the trot, showed good fight but fell short on the big points in the match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes.&nbsp;

He had a set point in the first set Tiebreak and the first break in the second set, but couldn’t press the advantage against the world No 39 from America.

A set down, the 29-year-old Indian fought back remarkably to take the early break in the second set, but couldn’t consolidate and was broken right back, followed by another break in the second set in just over 30 minutes.

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Polideportivo-Tenis: 
 
🏆Abierto de Australia 2019/Primera Ronda: 
 
🇺🇸Frances Tiafoe 
7️⃣(9)-6️⃣-6️⃣ 
🇮🇳P. Gunneswaran 
6️⃣(7)-3️⃣-3️⃣ <a href="https://t.co/1ufhb4QVpE">pic.twitter.com/1ufhb4QVpE</a>
— De Pelota Parada (@Depelotaparada_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Depelotaparada_/status/1084657269525102592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The start of the third set called for a change in tactics but Prajnesh kept hitting flat and was broken early.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who made his Grand Slam debut, went down 6-7(7), 3-6, 3-6 to American Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, ending India’s challenge in singles draw.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who made his Grand Slam debut, went down 6-7(7), 3-6, 3-6 to American Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, ending India’s challenge in singles draw. Gunneswaran, who had qualified for the main draw winning three matches on the trot, showed good fight but fell short on the big points in the match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes. He had a set point in the first set Tiebreak and the first break in the second set, but couldn’t press the advantage against the world No 39 from America. A set down, the 29-year-old Indian fought back remarkably to take the early break in the second set, but couldn’t consolidate and was broken right back, followed by another break in the second set in just over 30 minutes. Polideportivo-Tenis: 🏆Abierto de Australia 2019/Primera Ronda: 🇺🇸Frances Tiafoe 7️⃣(9)-6️⃣-6️⃣ 🇮🇳P. Gunneswaran 6️⃣(7)-3️⃣-3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/1ufhb4QVpE — De Pelota Parada (@Depelotaparada_) January 14, 2019 × The start of the third set called for a change in tactics but Prajnesh kept hitting flat and was broken early.

Australian Open: Prajnesh loses to America's Tiafoe on Grand Slam debut, ends India’s singles challenge

In pics: Day 1 highlights of Australian Open

India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran Monday said he "struggled a bit with the sun" and that it "cost" him a lot of games at the Australian Open, ending his maiden Grand Slam appearance in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-open-prajnesh-lose-to-americas-tiafoe-on-grand-slam-debut-ends-indias-singles-challenge-190122">first-round exit</a>.&nbsp;

Prajnesh, currently the country's number one singles player, lost to American Frances Tiafoe in straight sets 7-6, (9-7), 6-3, 6-3 at Melbourne Park on Monday.

"It was a good experience. I played a good match overall, had chances in all sets. I struggled a bit with the sun, (it's) different in Australia for some reason.

Found it hard to adjust the serve from one side of the court," Prajnesh told PTI.

The World No.39 beat the Indian qualifier in a match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes.

He said that next time he will find a way to adjust.&nbsp;

"Usually it's tough for the right-handers earlier in the day. Noon to 2 maybe for the lefty's. He (Tiafoe) had some issues in the first set with that. As the match went longer.

"That's what I noticed. It got harder for me."

Prajnesh fought hard in the first set which went into the tie-breaker after both players held their serve till the 12th game.

In the tie-breaker, Tiafoe got a mini-break and then closed the set at 9-7 in the tie-breaker.

Once he won the first set, the American completely dominated the 106th ranked Indian in the second and third set.

India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran Monday said he "struggled a bit with the sun" and that it "cost" him a lot of games at the Australian Open, ending his maiden Grand Slam appearance in a first-round exit.

India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran Monday said he "struggled a bit with the sun" and that it "cost" him a lot of games at the Australian Open, ending his maiden Grand Slam appearance in a first-round exit. Prajnesh, currently the country's number one singles player, lost to American Frances Tiafoe in straight sets 7-6, (9-7), 6-3, 6-3 at Melbourne Park on Monday. "It was a good experience. I played a good match overall, had chances in all sets. I struggled a bit with the sun, (it's) different in Australia for some reason. Found it hard to adjust the serve from one side of the court," Prajnesh told PTI. The World No.39 beat the Indian qualifier in a match that lasted an hour and 52 minutes. He said that next time he will find a way to adjust. "Usually it's tough for the right-handers earlier in the day. Noon to 2 maybe for the lefty's. He (Tiafoe) had some issues in the first set with that. As the match went longer. "That's what I noticed. It got harder for me." Prajnesh fought hard in the first set which went into the tie-breaker after both players held their serve till the 12th game. In the tie-breaker, Tiafoe got a mini-break and then closed the set at 9-7 in the tie-breaker. Once he won the first set, the American completely dominated the 106th ranked Indian in the second and third set.

Struggled a bit with sun and it cost me: Prajnesh after Aus Open exit

Prajnesh Gunneswaran is the lone Indian in the singles main draw at the 2019 Australian Open and the 29-year-old rues the sorry state of the game back home, which he thinks will not improve even if he pulls off a miracle to reach the final in Melbourne.

Cricket lords over other sports in India and the country of 1.3 billion has no men or women singles player currently in the top 100 even though it has produced decent doubles players in recent past.

Reaching the singles main draw at a Grand Slam in itself is a success in cricket-mad India, which has only seen Yuki Bhambri achieve the feat since Somdev Devvarman played in the 2013 US Open.

Gunneswaran is India's highest-ranked singles player at 112 and will meet American 20-year-old Frances Tiafoe, who is ranked 39, in his opening round on Monday after booking his spot at the year's first Grand Slam through the qualifiers.

"It's a good thing and a bad thing," he told Reuters in an interview on Sunday. "It's good for me personally because obviously I get a bit more coverage and a bit more presence in the media.

"But I would also like to see more Indians in this part of the tournament, in the main draw, doing well, making it to the second week like we do in doubles."

He dismissed suggestions that his Australian Open appearance could motivate more players in the world's second-most populous country.

"I don't think there is any lack of motivation. We don't have the system in place to produce players so no matter how much motivation is there we will not produce any players even if I make the final," Gunneswaran said.

"Somdev has been 70 and we had other players in the past who have been top 30 but that didn't produce another 100 players.

"I don't think me doing something here will make a drastic change. It will change my life but when it comes to Indian tennis I don't think so."

Gunneswaran feels India's search for quality singles players would not end anytime soon.

"We need an entire system and infrastructure, from coaches to fitness trainers, a centre where the youngsters can go and play and develop and get better," he said. "We don't have that kind of a consistent system in India.

"Here I am playing a professional event and I have to focus and do everything that I can to do well. Obviously, there is a certain amount of expectation that comes with being currently the number one in India. I am going to step on the court and give it my best and hope that I can come out on top."

Gunneswaran had missed out on playing in the French Open main draw last year as a lucky loser as he had left Paris to play a Challenger event.

He is coming off a strong 2018 during which he rose to a career-high 104 in November following strong results and two Challenger titles.

The Indian did not have much idea about Tiafoe but knew he needed to be at his best to advance.

"I don't know too much about him. I have seen him on TV playing matches," Gunneswaran said. "I know he's very good, he's top 40 for a reason.

"I will have to play well to beat him. I will come up with a game plan tomorrow (Monday) and give it all I have got."

Prajnesh Gunneswaran is the lone Indian in the singles main draw at the 2019 Australian Open and the 29-year-old rues the sorry state of the game back home, which he thinks will not improve even if he pulls off a miracle to reach the final in Melbourne.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran is the lone Indian in the singles main draw at the 2019 Australian Open and the 29-year-old rues the sorry state of the game back home, which he thinks will not improve even if he pulls off a miracle to reach the final in Melbourne. Cricket lords over other sports in India and the country of 1.3 billion has no men or women singles player currently in the top 100 even though it has produced decent doubles players in recent past. Reaching the singles main draw at a Grand Slam in itself is a success in cricket-mad India, which has only seen Yuki Bhambri achieve the feat since Somdev Devvarman played in the 2013 US Open. Gunneswaran is India's highest-ranked singles player at 112 and will meet American 20-year-old Frances Tiafoe, who is ranked 39, in his opening round on Monday after booking his spot at the year's first Grand Slam through the qualifiers. "It's a good thing and a bad thing," he told Reuters in an interview on Sunday. "It's good for me personally because obviously I get a bit more coverage and a bit more presence in the media. "But I would also like to see more Indians in this part of the tournament, in the main draw, doing well, making it to the second week like we do in doubles." He dismissed suggestions that his Australian Open appearance could motivate more players in the world's second-most populous country. "I don't think there is any lack of motivation. We don't have the system in place to produce players so no matter how much motivation is there we will not produce any players even if I make the final," Gunneswaran said. "Somdev has been 70 and we had other players in the past who have been top 30 but that didn't produce another 100 players. "I don't think me doing something here will make a drastic change. It will change my life but when it comes to Indian tennis I don't think so." Gunneswaran feels India's search for quality singles players would not end anytime soon. "We need an entire system and infrastructure, from coaches to fitness trainers, a centre where the youngsters can go and play and develop and get better," he said. "We don't have that kind of a consistent system in India. "Here I am playing a professional event and I have to focus and do everything that I can to do well. Obviously, there is a certain amount of expectation that comes with being currently the number one in India. I am going to step on the court and give it my best and hope that I can come out on top." Gunneswaran had missed out on playing in the French Open main draw last year as a lucky loser as he had left Paris to play a Challenger event. He is coming off a strong 2018 during which he rose to a career-high 104 in November following strong results and two Challenger titles. The Indian did not have much idea about Tiafoe but knew he needed to be at his best to advance. "I don't know too much about him. I have seen him on TV playing matches," Gunneswaran said. "I know he's very good, he's top 40 for a reason. "I will have to play well to beat him. I will come up with a game plan tomorrow (Monday) and give it all I have got."

India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran rues singles drought back home

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, the lone Indian surviving in the singles main draw, quelled a late challenge from Zhe Li to book a quarterfinal berth at the Ningbo Challenger on Wednesday.&nbsp;

After a sound start, the Chennai southpaw struggled to keep focus but regrouped for 6-3 2-6 7-6(0) win in the second round against his Chinese opponent.

"I played a good first set but started badly in the second. I was not focussed. The third set was very close. I had the break but was unlucky to lose that game at 5-4. There was net chord on one point and my string broke on another, so I was 0-30. But I played a very good tie break. I was aggressive and there were no errors," Prajnesh told PTI, reflecting on the match.

Prajnesh is the only Indian left in the singles main draw. His compatriots Ramkumar Ramanathan, Sumit Nagal and Saketh Myneni had all exited in the first round.

The 28-year-old, who had won Kunming Open in Anning in April, next faces Yunseong Chung, who knocked out Ramkumar in the opening round.&nbsp;

Ramkumar and Nagal crashed out of the men's doubles too following their first-round defeat but the pair of Myneni and N Sriram Balaji advanced to the quarterfinals.

Balaji and Myneni outplayed Hiroki Moriya and Rubin Statham 6-0 6-3 in the first round.&nbsp;

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, the lone Indian surviving in the singles main draw, quelled a late challenge from Zhe Li to book a quarterfinal berth at the Ningbo Challenger on Wednesday.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, the lone Indian surviving in the singles main draw, quelled a late challenge from Zhe Li to book a quarterfinal berth at the Ningbo Challenger on Wednesday. After a sound start, the Chennai southpaw struggled to keep focus but regrouped for 6-3 2-6 7-6(0) win in the second round against his Chinese opponent. "I played a good first set but started badly in the second. I was not focussed. The third set was very close. I had the break but was unlucky to lose that game at 5-4. There was net chord on one point and my string broke on another, so I was 0-30. But I played a very good tie break. I was aggressive and there were no errors," Prajnesh told PTI, reflecting on the match. Prajnesh is the only Indian left in the singles main draw. His compatriots Ramkumar Ramanathan, Sumit Nagal and Saketh Myneni had all exited in the first round. The 28-year-old, who had won Kunming Open in Anning in April, next faces Yunseong Chung, who knocked out Ramkumar in the opening round. Ramkumar and Nagal crashed out of the men's doubles too following their first-round defeat but the pair of Myneni and N Sriram Balaji advanced to the quarterfinals. Balaji and Myneni outplayed Hiroki Moriya and Rubin Statham 6-0 6-3 in the first round.

Prajnesh moves to quarterfinals of Ningbo Challenger in China