Prajnesh ends up 2nd again

Orlando, November 23

Prajnesh Gunneswaran ended runners-up at the Orlando Open, losing the summit clash of the ATP Challenger event to American Brandon Nakashima.

Gunneswaran could not put up an adequate fight with his groundstrokes to hurt the American, losing 3-6 4-6 in the final of the $52,080 hardcourt tournament.

The Indian left-hander could convert none of the eight break chances that came his way in a contest that lasted an hour and 28 minutes.

This was Gunneswaran’s second straight runners-up finish, after he had reached the final at the Cary Challenger last week.

The result helped Gunneswaran to move to world No. 128 from No. 137. He has locked the India number one rank with his Orlando show.

In the first set, serving at 2-3, Gunneswaran was broken after Nakashima’s strong groundstrokes forced him to send a backhand over the baseline. An easy hold put the American ahead 5-2. He returned to serve out the set without fuss.

In the third game of the second set, Gunneswaran dropped serve and squandered two break chances in the next game to let the 19-year-old Nakashima run away with his maiden Challenger level singles title. — PTI