Australian Open: Bhambri fails to qualify for the main draw

Yuki Bhambri lost 7-6(2), 2-6, 4-6 to USA's Ernesto Escobedo in two hours and eight minutes.

Yuki Bhambri was broken thrice in the second set that saw a momentum shift in his opponent's favour.

Yuki Bhambri lost to USA's Ernesto Escobedo in the final round of the Australian Open qualifiers on Saturday to end hopes of being in the main draw.

Bhambri lost 7-6(2), 2-6, 4-6 in two hours and eight minutes.

Despite holding his nerve to win the first set tie-breaker, Bhambri failed on his serve thrice in the second that allowed Escobedo to clinch the set with ease.

Escobedo broke Bhambri once in the decider to clinch the tie.

Saketh Myneni's campaign ended with a qualifying first-round 0-6, 2-6 loss to Germany's Peter Gojowczyk.