Indian tennis player Prajnesh Gunneswaran ended runner-up at the Orlando Open here, losing the summit clash of the ATP Challenger event to American Brandon Nakashima.
Prajnesh did not have the required power in his strokes to hurt the American, losing 3-6 4-6 in the USD 52,080 hard-court tournament on Sunday.
The Indian left-hander could convert none of the eight break points that came his way in an hour and 28 minute contest.It is Prajnesh’s second straight runner-up finish. Last week, he had reached the final at the Cary Challenger.
The result though helped Prajnesh move to 128 from 137. He has already locked the India No. 1 rank with his Orlando show.Serving at 2-3, 30-all, Prajnesh buried a forehand into the net to be down a break point but saved it with an ace.
Another forehand error by Prajnesh gave Nakaksima another chance but the Indian saved that too with a well set-up winner.However, Nakashima’s strong ground-strokes brought him another chance and this time Prajnesh could not save, sending a backhand over the baseline.An easy hold put the American ahead 5-2. He returned to serve out the set without any fuss.
