Australian Open Qualifiers Draws: After a long injury lay-off, Yuki Bhambri will return to play the qualifiers of Australian Open 2022. Apart from him, there will be Prajnesh Gunneshwaran and Ramkumar Ramanathan in the men’s singles. In women’s singles the sole Indian is Ankita Raina as the Indians will be trying to secure a place in the AO2022 main draw. Follow Aus Open 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
However, Sumit Nagal will miss out having recently undergone a hip surgery and is sidelined for at least a couple of months more.
Australian Open Qualifiers Draws: Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Ankita Raina eye main draw- Follow LIVE updates
Prajnesh Gunneswaran vs Daniel Elahi Galan (COL)
Gunneswaran (219) vs Galan (120)
Prajnesh is India’s biggest hope in securing his third main draw at Australian Open 2022. He has already played in the opening round of Aus Open 2019 & 2020 and represented India in all four grand slams. But he will be up against Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan who is ahead of him in the rankings chart.
Gunneswaran, 32, has won a couple of ATP Challenger & 8 ITF titles in singles events. He had made a shocking Q1 exit in last edition of year’s opening Grand Slam. In fact, he failed to be part of main draw in all 4 grand slams last year– a feat that he would look to improve.
On the other hand, Daniel Elahi Galan could prove to be a roadblock for Gunneswaran as he has played in the round 3 and 2nd round of French Open & Wimbledon. But the hardcourt tennis event has witnessed his opening round exit.
Australian Open Qualifiers Draws: Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Ankita Raina eye main draw- Follow LIVE updates
Yuki Bhambri vs Joao Domingues (POR)
Bhambri (1050) vs Domingues (248)
Yuki Bhambri is a former junior World No.1 and winner of 2009 Australian Open Junior Championship—first Indian to achieve the feat. He has also played in all main draws of Grand Slams and a record three times in Australian Open (2015, 2016 & 2018).
He has won 7 ATP Challenger Tour in singles but three years absence has taken him to below 1000 in ATP Rankings. Despite staying away from the game, Bhambri is expected to progress to Qualifying 2 at AO2022.
Australian Open Qualifiers Draws: Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Ankita Raina eye main draw- Follow LIVE updates
Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Gian Marcio Moroni (ITA)
Ramanathan (184) vs Moroni (197)
Ramkumar Ramanathan will be gunning to make it to the main draw by starting on a good note against his Italian Opponent placed below him in ATP Rankings. His best at Australian Open is reaching Q3 (2018).
The 27-year-old is the first India player to reach an ATP World Tour singles final after Somdev Devvarman. He represents India at Grand Slams and Davis Cup. He has won 6 ATP Challenger Tour and 15 ITF Future Tour trophies. He is expected to dominate Gian Marco Moroni.
Australian Open Qualifiers Draws: Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Ankita Raina eye main draw- Follow LIVE updates
Ankita Raina vs Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)
Raina (202) vs Tsurenko (118)
Ankira Raina missed her maiden main draw appearance at Australian Open by a whisker. She had reached Q3 which she can amend in Aus Open 2022. She has continued to raise her game and if the pattern continues, Raina will represent India in main draw.
The 28-year-old has played won 11 singles & 18 doubles in ITF Circuit. Unfortunately, her game dipped in Wimbledon & US Open where she crashed out of opening Qualifiers.
On the other hand, Lesia Tsurenko had played Quarterfinals of US Open, 3rd round at French Open and 2nd round in Wimbledon. She will give a hard time to Ankita Raina on the court. The 32-year-old has won 4 singles title.
Australian Open Qualifiers Draws: Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Ankita Raina eye main draw- Follow LIVE updates
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