Ramkumar Ramanathan enhanced his reputation of being a passionate fighter even in defeat against a much superior Marin Cilic while Yuki Bhambri squandered six break chances to crash out of the Tata Open Maharashtra here on Wednesday.
Bhambri's first serve let him down on Wednesday as he bowed out with a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 defeat against the eighth seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round.
In complete contrast, Ramkumar played with a lot of passion against the 2014 US Open champion and a Wimbledon finalist in 2017 before bowing out with a 4-6, 3-6 defeat in his second round. Cilic served bombs, one of them at a speed of 223km, and Ramkumar struggled to cope with his power-packed game.
To his credit, 23-year-old Ramkumar did not buckle. He fought, with his heart and with a fearless approach. It was never enough to trouble a superior rival like Cilic but yet was enough to earn a respectful defeat.
Ramkumar's defeat meant that Indian challenge ended at the home event, which moved from Chennai to Pune.
In other matches, world number 89 Gilles Simon stunned defending champion and world number 20 Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 7-6(5) to move to the quarterfinals.
Robin Haase came from behind to defeat Nicolas Jarry 3-6 7-6(5) 7-5 and will play Benoit Paire, who also had to fight hard before winning 4-6 7-6(4) 7-6(6) against Marton Fucsovics.
Bhambri, ranked 118, needed to play percentage tennis against a rival like Herbert, ranked 81 but struggled.
His second serve hardly had any sting, making it easier for Herbert to attack.
Herbert, to his credit, after a shaky start got better and better. He soaked in the pressure and came out strong.