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India at Aus Open: Yuki Bhambri ousted by Berdych

Last updated on: January 18, 2016 16:53 IST

India's Yuki Bhambri plays a forehand his first round match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych during thier first round match at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Monday

IMAGE: India's Yuki Bhambri plays a forehand during his first round match against the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych at the 2016 Australian Open on Monday. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

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.