India's Yuki Bhambri fell in the final qualifying round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis on Sunday, going down 3-6, 4-6 to Aussie Christopher O'Connell in 72 minutes.
Bhambri, ranked No. 669, who is returning to the Tour after tendonitis of the knees kept him out of competition for three years, was a shadow of the player who put the world No. 86 Joao Sousa in the first round, just 24 hours ago. O'Connell, the world No. 148, who likes to let his forehand do the talking, while constantly running around his stylish single-handed backhand, took a 4-1 in the opening set where he called the shots.
The Aussie won 11 of 12 points on his first serve and nine of 13 on his second. In the second set, the Indian had two chances to break in the fourth and tenth games and let both opportunities slip with poor shot selection. Especially in the fourth game when a down-the-line winner opened a prospective window at 30-40.
