ATP500 Dubai (14-21 March) 2021

[jayakris]

After getting broken twice in a row to lose the second set, Yuki had held twice and it is 6-3 1-6 2-1 ...
Now it is 3-3 in the third. Crunch time starting! Can Yuki hold up? Nope... Broken in the 7th game. 3-4
3-5 and Yuki serving to stay alive a bit longer. He holds.
4-5 and Bedene serving for the match. He takes it at 40-15

[R1] Yuki Bhambri (NR, IND) l. Aljaz Bedene (SLO, 62) 63 16 46

[Dinesh]

That was too close. Squandered some break point chances in the 3rd set. Now the waiting game starts whether he will go home and play the Indian futures (wish he does) or try the European challengers, if at all he decides to travel to EU.

[Sanjay]

Wow, YB is playing at a Top 50-60 level.
Very exciting, I hope he stays fit.

[prasen9]

I would say more like top 100-125 level. Maybe 75-125 level.

[jaydeep]

Good fighting performance by Yuki ... After losing the second set with a double break he managed to raise his game in the third.

[sameerph]

Btw, Borna Coric withdrew and is replaced by lucky loser Guistono to meet Bedene in second round. Now the loss looks worse for Yuki.

[jayakris]

[Moved a few posts discussing Yuki's schedule to the Yuki thread... Mod, Jay]

[PKBasu]

The sudden loss of concentration in the fourth game of the second set -- and the floodgate it opened up for Bedene in that set -- is something that Yuki needs to avoid. Against ATP-level players, you simply cannot let an opponent back into the match like that. Yuki was utterly dominant until a few points earlier: Bedene was trying to come up to the net, but getting passed ruthlessly. Nothing was working for him, but Yuki let his opponent back into the match. Although he had his chances in the third set, Yuki should have stayed focused during the second set. This is a mental thing that needs to be sorted out properly.