On Monday, Yuki Bhambri jumped 22 places in the latest ATP Rankings to once again enter the top-100. He thus became a top-100 ranked player for the first time since February 2016. Bhambri moved to a career-best World No 83 in the world after winning the Taipei Challenger on Sunday when he beat compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan in the final. This is India’s best ATP ranking since Somdev Devvarman reached a career-high World No 62 in July 2011.
Since hitting the top-100 ranking in 2015 and thereafter, Bhambri had been plagued with injuries which saw him miss extensive part of the tennis calendar. If he can maintain this ranking, he can be a direct entry for Grand Slams and Masters 1000 tournaments. Recently, he reached the main draw of ATP 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami going on to the third round and second round respectively.
“It’s only the beginning, I have to move up a lot more and I am looking forward to the challenge,” Yuki. Asked if top-50 was a realistic target for him, Yuki said, “Not at the moment. Too far.” Bhambri’s Davis Cup teammate Ramkumar Ramanathan also rose to a career best of 116 as he jumped 17 places on the back of the sojourn to the Taipei final. Meanwhile, Sumit Nagal, India’s third best ranked player, lost two places to be 215. He is followed by Prajnesh Gunneswaran (266) and Arjun Kadhe (394).
