Yuki out of US ATP qualifying event

Delray Beach: Yuki Bhambri bowed out of the singles qualifying event of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships here after going down to South African Davis Cuper Izak van der Merwe in a tough three-setter.

The Indian teen looked set to earn his second consecutive win over Merwe after pocketing the first set but eventually lost 6-4 4-6 5-7 in the second round of the qualifying event.

Yuki had beaten Merwe last year during India's Davis Cup World Group play-off tie on his debut.

Yuki has opted out of India's next month's World Group first round tie against Russia to play in the ATP events to improve his ranking.