October / November 2018 Challengers

[PKBasu]

This year has been an absolute mess for Yuki, compounded by poor decisions about scheduling that were aimed at making money without focusing on gathering points. Now big trouble looms on the latter front.

[Prem]

Prajnesh Gunneswaran moves to the Finals of the Ningbo Challenger

$150K Ningbo Challenger 2018, China

[SF] (7) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,170) def. (5) Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB,161) 6-2, 6-2

[PKBasu]

What a consummate victory for Prajnesh, who rises to a career high of 146. Winning the title will take him to 132. What a stupendous year it’s been for him!

[PKBasu]

Prajnesh plays Thomas Fabbiano in the final.

[PKBasu]

At Luizhao, Sumit has won Q1 over Zihao Xia (CHN, 539) 62 62

Arjun Kadhe and Siddharth Rawat are now playing their Q1 matches. Sid took the first set 7-5 over Yunseong Chung, lost the second 2-6 and its 1-1 in the third now.

[jaydeep]

Terrific win for Prajnesh against talented Kecmanovic ... Next, an experienced, the top-125 ranked Thomas Fabbiano.

At $150K Ningbo Challenger 2018, China

[F] (7) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,170) vs (3) Thomas Fabbiano (ITA,122)

[jaydeep]

Expected winning start for Sumit, Mukund and Arjun in the qualifying ... They r in same part of the draw ... Arjun is facing Mukund and Sumit is facing Uzbek Sultanov ... Sid lost after winning the first set against Yunseong.

In the main draw, Prajnesh is facing French youngster, Johan Tatlot and RamK will be facing a qualifier.

At $50K Liuzhou Challenger 2018, China

[Q1] Sidharth Rawat (IND,617) l (2) Yunseong Chung (KOR,291) 57 62 63
[Q1] (4) Sumit Nagal (IND,312) bt Zihao Xia (CHN,539) 62 62
[Q1] Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,492) bt (WC) Hanyl Liu (CHN,1286) 63 62
[Q1] (7) Arjun Kadhe (IND,356) bt Ryota Tanuma (JPN,518) 76(4) 62

[Q2] (4) Sumit Nagal (IND,312) vs Khumoyun Sultanov (UZB,519)
[Q2] (7) Arjun Kadhe (IND,356) vs Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,492)

[R1] (7) Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND,170) vs Johan Tatlot (FRA,236)
[R1] (2) Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND,127) vs Qualifier

[jayakris]

Prajnesh should just live in China. Man, what an year. Whoa!!!

[sameerph]

Yes, he is having a great time in China. First that davis cup win, then that $150K title in Anning on clay and now another final in a $150K there on hard courts. And superb dominating win in the SF against a talented player. Now let us finish it on a high tomorrow.

[Varma]

Wow...what a show by Prajnesh who started the year at 243. He only has 51 points to defend for the rest of the year, but he already bagged 65 points this week. Every single point from here on will push his ranking upwards. If he can put up a strong show in the few remaining tournaments and work his butt out during off-season by targeting the right spots that need improvement, we may soon have 2 Top-100 singles players in him and RamK .

- Varma

[jayakris]

we may soon have 2 Top-100 singles players in him and RamK

You have given up on Yuki .... Oh well, I can't disagree with you. I don't know if Yuki has yet another comeback in him....

[Prashant]

It takes a PKB level optimist to still believe in Yuki. It's sad and frustrating but it appears that his body is not up to the rigors of the tour.

[sameerph]

Sumit and Arjun are thru to final qualifying round in Liuzhou and will play each other in final qualifying round.

At $50K(+H) Liuzhou Challenger 2018, China

[Q2] (4) Sumit Nagal (IND,312) d. Khumoyun Sultanov (UZB,519) 64 64
[Q2] (7) Arjun Kadhe (IND,356) d. Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND,492) 61 62

Mukund really needs to go back and play some futures to gain some wins and confidence.

[Q3] (4) Sumit Nagal (IND,312) vs. (7) Arjun Kadhe (IND,356)

Prajnesh's final at Ningbo is delayed by rain.

[jaydeep]

I am still having hopes on Yuki ...

The doubles draw is out, RamK is playing with Nedo and they r facing a local wild-card pair ... Arjun is playing with Yaraslav Shyla and they r facing Duckhee Lee and Broady ... Bala and Saki r the 4th seeds and facing Kecmanovic and Li.

At $50K+H Liuzhou Challenger 2018, China

[R1] Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ)/ Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) vs (WC) Xin Gao (CHN)/ Fajing Sun (CHN)
[R1] Arjun Kadhe (IND)/ Yaraslav Shyla (BLR) vs Liam Broady (GBR)/ Duckhee Lee (KOR)
[R1] (4) N. Sriram Balaji (IND)/ Saketh Myneni (IND) vs Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB)/ Zhe Li (CHN)

[sameerph]

So, Saki playing only doubles here which is surprising.

Ningbo final started. 1-1 int the first set. Prajnesh missed a breakpoint in Fabbiano's first service game.

Match suspended again.