How did Indians fare in 2013 - Part 1

5. Yuki Bhambri finally comes of age

After endless injury breaks, he has finally started playing at a better level. A long pending transition to the senior level now seems to have been completed.

After struggling with injuries during the first half of the season, Bhambri played some exhilarating tennis to achieve unprecedented results in the Futures and Challenger levels. He reached two finals in the challenger tour and won one.

His good form started from Taiwan, where he reached two Futures finals, losing one due to cramps and winning the other. The very next week, he posted wins over higher ranked opponents in all the rounds to reach the finals of the 125k challenger. But, he ended up losing the final to former Wimbledon quarter finalist Yen-Hsun Lu. He also lost the doubles final on the same day.

After a small break, he moved to Australia to play a Futures event where he lost in the quarterfinals. The following week, he lost in another quarterfinals. This time it was a Challenger event. The very next week, he mustered all his strength to win the Traralgon Challenger.

It is pertinent to note that both the Challenger finals have been quite an adventure for him owing to rains. At Taiwan, he had to play a tight three setter of a semifinal and the final matches of both singles and doubles on the same day! At Traralgon, his final match saw around eight rain disruptions and was ultimately concluded on the next day(Monday)! He is growing to be more strong and persistent.

The fact that he could compile 25/29 wins in these six events, though not of very high standards, in itself is a breakthrough for Bhambri. After searching for the elusive break for long, he seems to have found it finally. His season next year is going to be all the more interesting with him having virtually very few points to defend till mid-year. He will also be participating in the Australian Open Asia-Pacific wild card qualifiers to gain his first Grand Slam Main draw entry.

This talented lad is shaping out to be a very good asset for Indian tennis with Somdev being the only player in the top 100 singles rankings today. Another string of good performances and some wins at ATP tournaments will surely help him boost his ranking and join Somdev. Somdev might be better today . Yet, we must realize that at 28, he can no longer nurture lofty dreams through his career is still young. On the contrary, at 20, Yuki Bhambri is peaking at the right time and if he manages to remain healthy, he can scale greater heights.

For part 2, click here: Indian tennis in 2013