PUNE, November 20, 2018

Fourth seeded Prajnesh Gunneswaran and wild card Sasi Kumar Mukund kept the Indian flag high as they made the last eight stage in the singles at the KPIT MSLTA ATP Challenger organized by MSLTA and PMDTA and played at the Mhalunge-Balewadi Tennis Complex here today.

Gunneswaran cruised past German qualifier Lucas Gerch, who appeared in his first main draw at ATP Challenger level, 6-1, 6-3. The 29-year-old Chennai native didn’t save a break point, converting four of his seven own chances to seal victory in only 53 minutes. Gunneswaran will next take on Aleksandr Nedovyesov from Kazakhstan.

Mukund benefited from the retirement of Briton Jay Clarke, leading 5-7, 6-4, 4-1. Clarke was forced to stop playing due to dizzineess. Mukund will next challenge top seed Radu Albot from Moldova. The World No. 102 beat Maverick Banes of Australia 6-3, 6-1 in 54 minutes.

Results Second Round

[WC] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND) bt [6] Jay Clarke (GBR)5-7, 6-4, 4-1 concceded;
Bradyen Schnur (CAN) bt [WC] Arjun Kadhe (IND) 7-5, 6-2;
[4] Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) vs [Q] Lucas Gerch (GER)6-1, 6-3;
[3] Elias Ymer (SWE) bt Daniel Masur (GER) 6-3, 7-6(4);

[1] Radu Albot (MDA) bt Maverick Banes (AUS) 6-3, 6-1;
Frederico Ferreira Silva (POR) bt [Alt] Nicola Kuhn (ESP)7-5, 7-5;
Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ) bt [Q] Ben Patael (ISR) 7-5, 6-4;
[Q] Sebastian Fanselow (GER) bt Max Purcell (AUS) 6-2, 6-1;