Yuki Bhambri knocked out of Australian Open qualifiers

Yuki Bhambri failed to clear the first hurdle and bowed out of the Australian Open qualifiers.

He lost his opening round match to 28th seed Italian Potito Starace, in Melbourne, on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Indian youngster made a good comeback after losing the first set but could not sustain the momentum and lost 3-6, 6-1, 2-6 in an hour and 45 minutes.

After winning the second set, Yuki was unable to cash in on the chances that came his way in the decisive third set, squandering three of four break-points and dropping his serve thrice.

Starace, a top 30 player in 2007, won 85 points to 79 of Yuki. The Italian hit 26 winners while Yuki 23.

However, Yuki is set to make his Grand Slam debut as he will compete in the doubles at the Australian Open, partnering New Zealand's Michael Venus, with whom he won the wild card play-off event in China.

He reached the singles semi-finals, where the winner was awarded a wild card entry to the Australian Open.