Indian No.1 Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost to former top-10 player and French Open Semi finalist – Ernests Gulbis in straight sets 67 26 in the final qualification round.
Prajnesh started the match on a great note but after a verbal altercation with Gulbis, he seemed to have lost concentration and from then, it was a downward spiral for the Indian.
@PrajneshGP please do not get in to an argument with an opponent. Gulbis was wrong in asking for the challenge so late but the Ump didnt allow it. end of story. dont give a player any reason to play extra motivated. #AusOpen
— Pasupathikovil Kannan பசுபதிகோவில் கண்ணன் (@KanSRam) January 17, 2020
Though Prajnesh lost, he is still not out of the tournament. As 3 players have withdrawn from the main draw, 5 highest ranked losers from the final qualifying round will be put into a draw to select 3 lucky losers. Prajnesh will be one of the five in the lucky loser draw.
https://twitter.com/EntryLists/status/1218066097401929728This draw will be done after all the qualifying matches are completed on Saturday.
Only Indian left in the draw, Prajnesh Gunneswaran vs. Former Top 10 in the world, Ernests Gulbis. What an experience #AO2020 @IndTennisDaily pic.twitter.com/HTwwldnUzx
— Qasim Naqvi (@QasimMNaqvi) January 17, 2020
Score
[Q3] Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND, 122) l. Ernests Gulbis (EST, 254) 67 26
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