Indian Wells: Bhambri notches first ATP Masters win

In a gritty match that lasted an hour and 41 minutes, Yuki Bhambri rose from a deficit in both sets being 1-4 and 1-3 in the first and second sets respectively, before turning fortunes around.

This is Yuki Bhambri's second Masters main draw appearance. The Indian will meet ninth seed Lucas Pouille in the second round.

India’s top-ranked singles player Yuki Bhambri notched his first win in an ATP Masters 1000 tournament after he beat Nicolas Mahut 7-5, 6-3 in his first round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Friday.

In a gritty match that lasted an hour and 41 minutes, Bhambri rose from a deficit in both sets being 1-4 and 1-3 in the first and second sets respectively, before turning fortunes around.

While his serve was broken three times, he saved five breakpoints and converted five of 11 chances he got. He was also stronger on first serve and thundered three aces.

This is Bhambri's second Masters main draw appearance. The Indian will meet ninth seed Lucas Pouille in the second round.

He had earlier got the better of compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan in the final round of qualifying.