India’s singles challenge in the 2019 French Open ended on Sunday when Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost to Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien 1-6, 3-6, 1-6 in straight sets. Prajnesh was India’s sole singles representative to enter the main draw after Ramkumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina bowed out in the Qualifiers.
After being out of action for weeks owing to a shoulder injury, Prajnesh’s rustiness paved way for the Bolivian’s victory. The World No. 86 made a lot of errors in returning Dellien’s serve which wasn’t his lethal weapon.
Not enough preparation in clay court hurt Prajnesh’s prospects as he competed in only two matches on the red shale. Dellien, on the other hand, reached the quarter-final of Geneva Open.
Prajnesh’s loss doesn’t draw curtains to India’s campaign in the 2019 French Open. India’s all the other competitors are in men’s doubles where the pairs of Jeevan Neduncheziyan and Micha Zverev, Rohan Bopanna and Marius Copil, Divij Sharan and Marcus Demoliner, and Leander Paes and Benoit Paire would be in action on Tuesday in the men’s doubles event.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran would like to forget his disappointing clay season and focus on the upcoming grass season. The Chennai-born athlete is expected to play in three ATP Tour events before the Wimbledon in July.
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