Going full stretch: Hong prevailed over Ramkumar in a match that witnessed high quality tennis.| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Ramkumar Ramanathan put up a spirited battle earlier than dropping 5-7, 7-5, 4-6 to South Korea’s Seongchan Hong within the singles quarterfinal of the dafaNews Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger on the KSLTA courts inside Cubbon Park right here on Friday.

Capricious for many half, the match noticed some high quality tennis, with each gamers attacking with aplomb. But it was additionally marked by Ramkumar’s repeated run-ins with the chair umpire within the third set, due to which he seemingly misplaced focus and withered away. Hong broke Ramkumar’s serve within the first sport of the competition, however the Indian evened issues within the tenth. The crosscourt forehand winner Ramkumar hit on break-point with little or no room to work with was indicative of his aggressive temper.

But he received a tad overambitious and that value him as he misplaced serve to like within the eleventh sport and ceded the set quickly after.

With his tail up, Hong made the play within the ninth sport of the second stanza, however Ramkumar sliced and diced his method out of bother and saved all 4 break-points.

But when Hong served at 5-6, Ramkumar transformed the primary break alternative to stage the tie. However, at 30-all within the first sport of the third set, Ramkumar misplaced his cool over a line name that went towards him.

On the following break-point, he double-faulted.

From then on, he remonstrated to no finish and even when he earned a break-point within the sixth sport, the match by no means appeared his.

Later within the night, India No.1 Sumit Nagal introduced again the cheer on the supporters’ faces with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Australia’s Adam Walton to maneuver into the final 4.

Other outcomes (Indians except specified): Singles: Quarterfinals: Stefano Napolitano (Ita) bt Moez Echargui (Tun) 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4; Oriol Roca Batalla (Spa) bt Maks Kasnikowski (Pol) 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5.

Doubles: Semifinals: Bittoun Kouzmine & Janvier (Fra) bt Matuszewski (Pol) & Romios (Aus) 6-3, 3-6, [10-6]. Myneni & Ramkumar bt Alcantara (Phi) & Uchida (Jpn) 6-2, 2-6, [10-7]..