Yuki Bhambri breaks into world's top 200 rankings

India’s Yuki Bhambri crossed another milestone in his short career as the 20 year old Indian beat local hope Farrukh Dustov 6-3, 7-5 to reach the quarter finals of the ATP Challenger in Astana, Uzbekistan. The win assures Bhambri of 20 ATP ranking points and the Indian will now break into the top 200 of the world rankings next week for the first time.

The match lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes and Bhambri saved all three breakpoints against his serve while converting 2 of 5 break point opportunities on his opponent’s serve. Bhambri had lost to Dustov in their only previous meeting – in the Davis Cup earlier this year.

The Indian will now meet second seed and world no. 127 Karol Beck, of Slovakia, for a place in the semi finals on Thursday. Beck has been ranked as high as the top 40 way back in 2005 but lost to Bhambri in Chennai earlier this year in their only professional meeting so far.

Bhambri began the year ranked 345 in January and since he is not defending any points till September, he has a chance to solidify a position in the top 150 world rankings in the coming months.

Bhambri and partner Divij Sharan, seeded third, are also through to the doubles quarter finals at this event.