Giant-killer Sumit Nagal powers into semis

BENGALURU: Yuki Bhambri came with a plan and executed it to perfection as the top-ranked Indian swept past compatriot Prajnesh Gunneswaran 7-5, 6-2 to enter the semifinals of the Bengaluru Open Challenger here on Thursday.
But the day's biggest winner was Sumit Nagal who scripted a 6-3, 6-4 win over top seed Blaz Kavcic to book a last-four clash against Yuki and make this the best performance of his career.
Knowing Prajnesh's biggest weapon is his serve, as part of current Indian crop blessed with big serves, Yuki kept his game simple.
Return the serve and keep the rallies alive. It took till the 11th game before Yuki broke to go 6-5 ahead. The 25-year-old returned every serve putting the pressure on his Davis Cup teammate. Searching for the lines, mistakes crept into Prajnesh's shots leading to the first break of the game. The 28-yearold had two break points to save the set in the very next game but found a rock-like solidity in Yuki who refused to budge, eventually taking the set.