Bengaluru: As many as four Indians figure in the last eight stage of the ongoing US $150,000 Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger.
In the pre-quarterfinal fixture played at the KSLTA here on Wednesday, Sasi Kumar Mukund, playing his fourth round in as many days (entered as a qualifier), sent home the fancied Slovenian, Blaz Kavcic after the latter threw in the towel, trailing by a set and down 1-3 in the second set.
Defending champion Sumit Nagal was a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victor over James Ward of Great Britain while Saketh Myneni quelled the challenge of giant killer Youssef Hossam 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to advance to quarterfinals.
Joining the trio was fourth seed Prajnesh Gunneswaran who came back from the brink of defeat against qualifier Sebastian Fanswelow of Germany before prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Incidentally, Prajnesh is the only seed left in fray. Brayden Schnur of Canada sidelined sixth seed Quentin Halys of France 6-4, 7-6 (3) while Kazak Aleksandr Nedovyesov ousted fifth seed Marc Polsman of Canada in straight sets 6-2, 6-4
In an interesting duel, after both the players had traded a set each with a similar score-line of 6-4 with Sebastian winning the first, Prajnesh, was trailing 3-5 with Sebastian just a match point away from victory. The 26-year-old Indian is currently ranked 144th.
Results:
First round: Q-Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND) bt Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 7-6 (7-2), 3-1 (Retd); WC-Sumit Nagal (IND) bt James Ward (GBR) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4); 4-Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) bt Q-Sebastian Fanselow (GER) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5; WC-Saketh Myneni (IND) bt Q-Youssef Hossam (EGY) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1; Brayden Schnur (CAN) bt 6-Quentin Halys (FRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3); Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ) bt 5-Marc Polsman (CAN) 6-2, 6-4; Cem Ilkel (TUR) bt LL-Zizou Bergs (BEL) 7-5, 6-3; Daniel Masur (Ger) Vs. Frederico Ferreira Silva (POR).
Doubles (Quarterfinals)
Arjun Kadhe (IND) Vs. Saketh Myneni (IND) bt WC-SD Prajwal Dev (IND) / Niki Poonacha (IND) 6-3, 7-6 (5); Cheng-Peng Hsieh (TPE) / Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) bt Andrej Martin (SVK) / Hans Podlipnik-Castillo (CHI) 4-6, 6-2, 10-2.
Quarterfinal line-up (Singles) 2 p.m.
Q-Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND) Vs. 4-Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND)
WC-Saketh Myneni (IND) Vs. WC-Sumit Nagal (IND); Brayden Schnur (CAN) Vs. Cem Ilkel (TUR) Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ) Vs. D. Masur (GER) or Ferreira Silva (POR).
