India’s singles players yet again failed to cross the qualifying hurdle at a grand slam as both Ramkumar Ramanathan and Yuki Bhambri exited from Wimbledon qualifiers with first round defeats.
Bhambri lost to top seed from Spain Bernabe Zapata Miralles 5-7, 1-6 while Ramkumar fell 5-7, 4-6 to Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva on Monday night.
Bhambri squandered two set points in the first and it was Miralles who took the lead. The second set, however, was an one-sided affair.
India No.1 Ramanathan took on 19th seed Kopriva. The 27-year-old Indian, thanks to his aces and winners, looked comfortable but lost steam soon after.
With both Bhambri and Ramanathan bowing out, Sania Mirza, who is in her last year on tour, remains the only Indian confirmed to play at Wimbledon main draw this year.
The 35-year-old former doubles world No.1 is all set to feature in the women’s doubles draw with her partner Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic.
Rohan Bopanna has decided not to play since there are no ATP points on offer at the Big W this year.
Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players in the wake of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine which resulted in ATP’s stance.