Yuki beats Ramkumar to qualify for Indian Wells Masters

Yuki, seeded ninth in the qualifiers, prevailed 6-4, 6-2 in the second and the final qualifying round of the Indian Wells Masters, to make it to the season’s first Master series event.

The last time the 25-year-old Yuki Bhambri played at a Masters event was in 2009, at Miami. (File Photo)

Yuki Bhambri outsmarted Ramkumar Ramanathan, in the battle of top Indians, to qualify for the Indian Wells ATP Masters event, his first 1000 series tournament in nine years.

Yuki, seeded ninth in the qualifiers, prevailed 6-4, 6-2 in the second and the final qualifying round, to make it to the season’s first Master series event. Yuki now leads head-to-head record 3-1 against the 22-year-old Ramkumar. The last time the 25-year-old Yuki played at a Masters event was in 2009, at Miami.

In his opening round in the main draw, Yuki will fight it out with fellow qualifier Nicolas Mahut, ranked 101. If he manages to cross the first hurdle, he will be up against world number 12, Lucas Pouille from France.