Yuki Bhambri was beaten in the first round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open by world No 6 Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 at the Margaret Court Arena on Monday.
The young Indian started with a flourish but withered after going down fighting in the first set.
The sixth seeded Czech dropped serve only once, in the first set, before romping home in an hour and 45 minutes.
Berdych, a semi-finalist at the Open last year, was simply too strong, sending down 13 aces and breaking the No 95-ranked Bhambri six times.
In the same quarter of the draw as Roger Federer, he hammered 35 winners and will next face Bosnia's Mirza Basic.
Berdych has an impressive record at the Australian Open, having made it to the quarter-finals in his last five appearances.
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