Prakash Amritraj became the first Indian casualty at the ninth ATP Chennai Open tennis tournament, as he went down fighting to Ivo Heuberger of Switzerland 4-6, 4-6, in a first round match at Chennai on Monday nigh.
Though there was no vast difference in the game plan and approach of the two players, Heuberger was more technically sound and consistent compared to Amritraj, a wild card entrant.
Heuberger, ranked 112, adapted well to the conditions and showed class, adjusting his game in pushing and drawing out Amritraj most often. He was able to pass Amritraj whenever the latter came up and scored winners when the Indian stayed back.
Amritraj, currently the highest ranked Indian (222) on the ATP circuit, was forced to make errors and was broken in the seventh game of each set.
On the other hand, Heuberger, who has risen up through Challenger events, Davis Cup matches and having won seven matches ATP Tour, found his best form during the rallies and won most of them to win the match in straight sets.