Yuki Bhambri ends runner-up with Ebden in Aptos Challenger

APTOS: Yuki Bhambri and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden ended runners-up at the Aptos Challenger event following straight-set defeat in the summit clash against Chris Guccione and Artem Sitak, here.

Yuki and Ebden fought hard before losing 4-6 6-7 (2) against the top-seeded Australian-Kiwi combination in one hour and 14 minutes.

Yuki, playing only his second doubles final of the season, had won the Krashi Challenger with Spaniard Adrian Menendez-Maceiras.

He had lost in the first round of the singles but Yuki says it was not for lack of effort.

"For me it was a fun week. I got to play some matches and that helped me keep my focus. The final was close but that's how the doubles is. Only a few points here and there and the outcome can be completely different. These are tough tournaments and every match is almost ATP level. I feel I am playing fine but just tough matches," Yuki told PTI.

Yuki has been drawn against Colombia's Alejandro Falla in the first round of the USD 100,000 Challenger.

"It was another tough week as far as in singles is concerned. Let's see how it goes. I will play Vancouver and the US Open Qualifiers," he said.