Yuki no match for Berdych falls at first hurdle
Berdych kicked off his 50th consecutive Grand Slam in style, demolishing Yuki 7-5 6-1 6-2 in one hour and 45 minutes.
India’s Yuki Bhambri crashed out of the Australian Open men’s singles event after losing in straight sets to world number six Tomas Berdych in the opening round in Melbourne on Monday.
Berdych kicked off his 50th straight Grand Slam in style, demolishing Yuki 7-5 6-1 6-2 in 45 minutes and one hour.
Yuki started off well but his game deteriorated as the match progressed at the Margaret Court Arena in conditions that were fiercely hot.
The Indian youngster proved no match for the sixth seed Berdych, who only dropped his service in the opening set.
Inexperience was writ large on Yuki’s game as Berdych broke the Indian’s serve six times.
Last year’s semifinalist Berdych lost his opening service game as Yuki managed to stay with his fancied opponent early on.
Yet, in the long run, Yuki failed to match the big-hitting Czech who dominated proceedings from 5-5.
A double-fault that handed Berdych the first set in effect spelt the end for Yuki, who instantly fell apart as the Czech took entire control of the match, ordering the Indian’s serve with searching returns and firing down 13 aces against his rival’s two.
Berdych, who’s in the same quarter of the draw as Roger Federer, beaten 35 winners and will next face Bosnia’s Mirza Basic.
As for world no.95 Yuki, who appeared in the main draw of a singles event at the Grand Slam for the first time, it was the end of yet another frustrating first round effort as last year too he lost his opener here in straight sets to Andy Murray.
