US Open: Ramkumar Ramanathan falls in first round of qualifiers

New York: Indian youngster Ramkumar Ramanathan could not enter the main draw of a Grand Slam yet again as he lost in the first round of the US Open Qualifiers, here.

Ramkumar, one of the fittest players in the country, lost his opening round 5-7 1-6 to Italian Alessandro Giannessi.

The 21-year-old could not earn a single breakpoint in the entire match that lasted one hour and 16 minutes.

Ramkumar lost steam when he went down in the close opening set. The second set turned out to be lop-sided in which he lost his serve thrice.

Saketh Myneni is other Indian left in the draw. He will take on American Mitchell Krueger in the second round.