Live
- Shirisha Leads Extensive Election Campaign in Ibrahimpatnam to Support Vasanta Krishna Prasad's Success
- YSRCP Candidate Velampalli Srinivasa Rao's Daughter Leads Campaign for Father's Victory"
- YSR Congress Party holds Gadapagadapa in Vijayawada West Constituency ahead of elections
- First-time woman candidate from Eluru declares assets worth 37 crore rupees
- Yarlagadda Venkatarao's Wife Gnaneshwari Advocates for TDP Schemes for Women Empowerment in Gannavaram Constituency
- Sheikh Asif express Confident of Winning Vijayawada West Constituency with Support of Local People
- Wide-scale election campaign of Chintamaneni Prabhakar in Denduluru
- Is 'Kanguva' the Most Expensive Film Ever Made in Suriya's Career?
- Massive Support for BS Maqbool as Nomination Process Evokes Public Support in Kadiri Constituency"
- Raghurama Krishnam Raju Holds Election Campaign in Gollalakoderu, Garagaparru and Maipa Villages
Prajnesh in main draw for first time
Outlining his growth as a player, a consistent Prajnesh Gunneswaran sealed his maiden appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam by qualifying for the Australian Open mens singles event here on Friday
Melbourne: Outlining his growth as a player, a consistent Prajnesh Gunneswaran sealed his maiden appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam by qualifying for the Australian Open men’s singles event here on Friday.
The 29-year-old from Chennai came from behind to beat Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 in the third and final qualifying round.
Prajnesh is only third Indian in five years to feature in the men's singles main draw of a Grand Slam, the other being Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri.
While Yuki played in all four Grand Slams in 2018 before a knee injury cut short his season, Somdev, who is now retired, last played at the 2013 US Open.
“It's obviously huge for me. First time ever in a Grand Slam main draw, something I have always dreamt of. I am really happy, don’t have words to describe it but it’s big deal for sure,” Prajnesh said.
“I am very proud that I stuck to it and put in all this work. I got here much later than most people do. I had the tennis to reach here, now just need to rest and recover for the main draw,” Prajnesh added.
The Indian has secured himself AUD 40,000 (Rs 20 lakh) for winning three qualifying rounds and at least AUD 75,000 more (approx Rs 38 lakh) as main draw prize purse, which will take care of his major expenses in the 2019 season.
Talking about the match, Prajnesh said, “It was no where near as good as I wanted it to be. I stayed tough mentally and fought really hard.’’
