Sanam, Vishnu a match away from main draw

Tashkent - Indian Davis Cuppers Vishnu Vardhan and Sanam Singh scored contrasting wins to make it to the final round of qualifying at the $125,000 Tashkent ATP Challenger being played at the Olympic Tennis School here Sunday.

In the second round of qualifiers, third seeded Vishnu Vardhan came back from a first set loss to win 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 51 minutes against Germain Gigounon of Belgium. Vardhan hammered 16 aces on his way to victory and will take on Martin Emmrich of Germany Monday.

Sixth seeded Sanam Singh also made it to the final qualifying round out-playing Aleksandre Metreveli of Georgia 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and five minutes.

The Indian will take on another Georgian; fourth seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in the main draw.

Meanwhile in the main draw starting Monday, Yuki Bhambri has been drawn to play eighth seeded Karol Beck in the first round.

Divij Sharan and Bhambri, the lone Indian pair in doubles, will take on third seeded German pair of Andre Begemann and Martin Emmrich in the first round.

Results of the second round of qualifying:

Oleksandr Nedovyesov (UKR) bt Sanjar Fayziev (UZB) 6-1, 6-4; Andre Begemann (GER) bt Artem Smirnov (UKR) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; Rameez Junaid (AUS) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3; Denys Molchanov (UKR) bt Aleksander Bury (BLR) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5(5); Vishnu Vardhan (IND) bt Germain Gigounon (BEL) 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3; Martin Emmrich (GER) bt Weerapat Doakmaiklee (THA) 1-0 retd.; Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) vs Sardor Pulatov (UZB) 6-1, 6-2; Sanam Singh (IND) bt Aleksandre Metreveli (GEO) 6-2, 6-4.