2024 Shanghai Masters: Ramkumar Ramanathan beats Sun Fajing in straight sets; qualifies for main draw

Indian ace tennis star Ramkumar Ramanathan has successfully secured his place in the main draw of the Shanghai Masters 2024, marking a significant achievement in his season. The 335th-ranked Indian tennis player had to navigate through the tough qualification rounds, where he delivered two solid performances to punch his ticket to the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event.

In his first qualifier, Ramkumar Ramanathan faced Ugo Blanchet, a higher-ranked opponent at 140 in the rankings. Despite the challenge, Ramanathan showcased his resilience, clinching a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both players exchanging breaks, but Ramanathan’s composure in the crucial moments allowed him to edge out Blanchet in the final set.

Next up was China’s Sun Fajing, and this time Ramkumar Ramanathan made sure the contest was less dramatic. He produced a commanding performance, easing past Sun with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 win. His strong serving and well-timed groundstrokes ensured that he was always in control, as Sun struggled to find a way back into the match.

With these two wins under his belt, Ramanathan now sets his sights on the main draw of the Shanghai Masters, where he’ll face even tougher competition. Nevertheless, his recent form in the qualifiers will give him confidence as he looks to make an impact in the tournament.

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Ramkumar Ramanathan joins Sumit Nagal in Shanghai Masters 2024 main draw

Ramkumar Ramanathan alongside India's top-ranked tennis star in men's singles, Sumit Nagal, are set to make history for Indian tennis at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, as they become the first Indian players to feature in the tournament's main draw after a 13-year hiatus.

The prestigious ATP 1000 Masters event, which began on September 30 and runs until October 13, will see these two Indian athletes compete on one of the biggest stages in tennis. Their qualification is especially significant, marking a long-awaited return for India to the main draw of the Shanghai Masters — a feat last achieved by Somdev Devvarman in 2011.

Devvarman, who made his appearance at the Shanghai Masters over a decade ago, unfortunately didn’t have a successful run, bowing out in the first round after a straight-sets loss to Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Now, Nagal and Ramanathan have the opportunity to change the narrative for Indian tennis.