Consistent performance ringing in mellifluous rewards, Prajnesh Gunneswaran breaks into top 100

February 12: Indian Tennis player Prajnesh Gunneswaran finally receiving a reward for his constant efforts in excelling broke into men’s singles top 100 for the first time in his career with a jump of six places that took him to 97 on Monday.

The rise has put him in the position of the top ranked Indian singles player as Prajnesh is only the third Indian player to break into the top 100 barrier in the past decade after Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri.

By reaching the semifinals of the ATP Chennai Challenger last week, Prajnesh ensured his entry into the coveted bracket of top 100. If the left-handed player can maintain his rank inside top 100, it will secure him entry into Grand Slam singles main draws.

In recent times, only Yuki managed to make the top 100 grade but the immensely talented player has been unfortunate with injuries that halted his progress as every time he entered the top 100, it was followed by a long injury break. 

29 years old Prajnesh who is from Chennai has won 2 ATP challenger and 8 ITF titles in singles and 1 ITF title in doubles. He represents India at the Davis Cup. He also won the bronze medal in the men’s singles tennis event at 2018 Asian Games, in Jakarta.

 

In the doubles, Rohan Bopanna stayed put at 37 and was followed by his partner Divij Sharan at 39 and pacing after them are Leander Paes at 75, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan at 77 and Purav Raja at 100.

In the Women’s Tennis Association charts, Ankita Raina continues to be country’s top singles player at number 165 after and is followed by Karman Kaur Thandi, who dropped a place to 211.