Yuki Bhambri went down fighting to top seed Australia's Jordan Thompson 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 in the singles final of the Chennai Open ATP Challenger, in Chennai, on Saturday.
Both players traded breaks in the first set. Thompson held serve to lead 6-5 and then broke the Indian to secure it 7-5.
In the second, Bhambri seized control early and stamped his authority by winning it 6-3.
In the decider, the Australian, ranked world No.103, showcased his skills, hitting with power and precision, to race to a 3-0 lead.
Bhambri rallied to win the next three games to restore parity but the Aussie secured a break in the seventh game only to be broken right back.
Bhambri held serve to go up and had match-point in the 10th game. He, however, could not shut the door on his opponent, who served ferociously to wriggle out of trouble.
Bhambri then dropped serve in the 11th game and the top-seed held his nerve to close out the match in a little over two-and-half hours.
