Ramkumar Ramanathan begins the Indian campaign on a positive note with a victory at the Bengaluru Open 2024.

In a thrilling opening match at the Bengaluru Open 2024, Indian wildcard entrant Ramkumar Ramanathan staged an impressive comeback after losing the first set to defeat Frenchman Maxime Janvier. Despite facing challenges from his higher-ranked opponent, Ramanathan displayed remarkable resilience, eventually prevailing with a scoreline of 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4. The 29-year-old delighted the home crowd with his gritty performance, securing victory in a tense encounter lasting two hours and 26 minutes.

The match witnessed Janvier relying on his strong first-serve game to seize the advantage and claim the first set through a tiebreaker. However, Ramanathan refused to buckle under pressure, saving multiple break points in the second set before breaking Janvier's serve in the crucial 11th game. He then went on to clinch the set, forcing a decisive third set.

Buoyed by the momentum swing, Ramanathan swiftly took control in the final set, securing an early break against Janvier and maintaining his composure to close out the match. His victory was not only a testament to his skill but also to the unwavering support of the local fans, who rallied behind him throughout the match.

Meanwhile, the tournament's third seed, Duje Ajdukovic of Croatia, suffered an early exit, succumbing to Tunisia's Moez Echargui in straight sets. This unexpected result added to the drama of the opening day, but it was Ramanathan's triumph that stole the spotlight.

Looking ahead, Ramanathan's next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the match between top seed Luca Nardi of Italy and Lucky Loser Dan Added of France. With his confidence boosted by a strong start, Ramanathan aims to continue his impressive run in the ATP Challenger event, which is being hosted by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) and is scheduled to conclude on January 19.