Indian challenge ends in qualifying rounds

Chennai, Dec 30 (UNI) The Indian challenge in the qualifying rounds of the ATP Tour Chennai Open, predictably, ended with wild card Karan Rastogi going down to Alexandre Kudrayvtsev of Russia in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the second round at the Nungambakkam stadium here today.

Three other Indians Mustafa Ghouse, also a former Davis Cupper, Stephen Amritraj, son of former Indian Davis Cupper Anand Amritraj, and Kamala Kannan also bowed out. Mustafa was forced to retire after trailing 3-6, 0-3 due to an injury, while Stephen put up a pathetic show against Italian Stefano Galvani, managing to win just two games. Galvani won 6-1, 6-1 in straight sets. Kamala Kannan went down tamely to Israeli Harel Levy 6-2, 6-1.

Kristian Pless of Denmark sailed into the final round with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand, Croatian Lovro Zovko defeated Denis Matsukevitch 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 and Austrian Alexander Peya defeated American David Martin 7-6(5), 6-3.

The Indian interest in the main draw would now be confined to the two wild cards Vishnu Vardhan, the national grass court champion, and Prakash Amritraj, son of former Indian legend Vijay Amritraj.

UNI