India’s rising star Ramkumar Ramanathan failed to clinch his maiden ATP world tour title as he lost to an in form Steve Johnson of America 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 in the Hall of Fame Open 2018. This was the fourth ATP title for the American and second this season.
At Newport’s grass court, the third seeded American started as the favourite against the India, who was playing in his first ATP tour finals.
Also read: List of top 5 Tennis players from India currently.
The first set was on serve for 11 straight games before Ramanathan’s unforced error was capitalized by Johnson to take the first set.
The Indian staged a comeback courtesy of some fast serves and an early break that gave him an early momentum to take the set 6-3.
In the third set, the American showed all his experience and broke the service of Ramanathan in the very first game. After that, it was no returning for the big serving Indian as Johnson easily won the game and pointed to the sky, pumping his fist before going over to the far corner to his coach Craig Boynton.
Ramkumar Ramanathan became the lowest ranked player to play in the ATP tour finals. Ranked 161st in the world, he aimed to win the title after Leander Paes and become the second Indian to win the title at the same venue.
“I am going to keep going, giving my best, and next time I am going to win the title,” Ramanathan said after the match.
“Steve was best, hitting some forehands today. He played a good third set and had the better of me,” he added.
Update: Ramkumar got a big jump in the ranking following the heroics in the tournament, he jumps 46 places to reach a career best of 115 in the world.
Our take
With Yuki Bhambri missing the cut in the Asian games squad, Ramanathan may well be a surprise package in the tournament and possibly a medal prospect for India with the current form.
