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Australian Open Qualifying Live Score: Yuki Bhambri plays for main draw match updates

By Sportskeeda Desk | Last ModifiedJan 14, 2017 06:15 GMT

India's Yuki Bhambri is one match win away from making the main draw of the Australian Open 2017

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06:15 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

That was a disappointing run. After what can only be described as an explosive, come-from-behind start, Yuki Bhambri has fizzled out, going down tamely to Ernesto Escobedo, who wins 6-7(2), 2-6, 6-4.

05:43 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Bhambri and Escobedo are level at one set all, with the American winning it 6-2. Could be anybody's game now, and it'll go down to the wire after that great first set from the Indian.

05:00 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Escobedo has a 2-1 lead in the second set, up a break of serve. But he took an early lead in the previous one only to lose in a tiebreak so this is not a big worry for the talented Indian!

04:55 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Apologies for the updates - as we've lost a stream! We'll bring you score action momentarily.

04:45 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Yuki Bhambri, take a bow! He's rushing the net, but mostly staying at the baseline and playing some great shots - backhands and forehands, and he takes the first set in a tiebreak! 

04:40 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

6-6!! It's time now for a first set tiebreak! 

04:35 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

And yet another close game goes upto deuce - and it's Escobedo who holds to lead 6-5. For the second time, Bhambri serves to stay in the set. 

04:29 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

The Indian is bringing his all here! It looked a bit dangerous for him as he netted a crucial point, but he holds to level 5-5! This is quite the contest.

04:25 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Bhambri looked threatening for a minute there, but that was a bit short-lived. He's outplayed by Escobedo and quite quickly. Escobedo leads 5-4, and Bhambri will now serve to stay in the set.

04:21 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Scores are now level at 4 games all.

04:21 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Arguably the best rally of the game so far! Escobedo, trying to end that, rushes to the net, hits it, and Bhambri returns with a nice spinning one of his own. That shot went over Escobedo's head in every way possible, and Bhambri evens the playing field again.

04:16 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Bhambri breaks back to trail 3-4.

04:16 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

We've got a contest on our hands! Escobedo's forehand is going all over the place here and it's not going too well for him. Bhambri has his on point for now, though, and sends a great forehand winner to break back! 

04:13 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Ooh. An attempted drop shot by Escobedo there. It was almost an ace...but unfortunately went very long. Bhambri gets the point, and holds his service game. Bhambri 2-4 Escobedo.

04:12 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

And Escobedo holds. He's got a quick, movement-filled game and he almost bounces across court to send a forehand winner in there. He leads 4-1.

04:06 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

And finally, he holds serve. But the game seems a bit sluggish, somehow, not the pacey stuff we're normally used to seeing from India's former top player.

04:05 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Bhambri returns a fast Escobedo forehand with a slice. Unfortunately that's a bit too flat and he nets it completely. He's trailing 0-3.

03:58 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

And now he's bringing it in Bhambri's service game! Escobedo breaks to go 2-0 up in the first set.

03:58 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Escobedo holds serve quickly to go one up. 1-0!

03:58 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Today he's up against Ernesto Escobedo of the United States and it's going to be a fight!

03:55 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

Yuki Bhambri, one of its biggest singles stars in the past, has made it to the main draws of multiple Slams before, but not progressed deep in.

03:53 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

But singles success has long evaded the country.

03:53 (GMT)14 JAN 2017

India will have seeded players in the women's doubles (World No. 2) Sania Mirza - and the men's doubles, with Rohan Bopanna.
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