French Open 2022: Ramkumar-Hunter pair hang in the chase

PARIS: India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan got his Grand Slam main draw challenge in the men’s doubles off to a winning start at the French Open. A chance pairing with American Hunter Reese, who approached the Indian after the men’s field opened up, saw them come through 7-6 (4), 6-3 like a pair of seasoned specialists against the German combine of Daniel Altmaier and Oscar Otte.
The Indo-American duo will now up against Dutchman Wesley Koolhoff and Briton Neal Skupski, the sixth seeds, in the second round.
Ramkumar, the India No.1 in singles, ranked 175, and 81 in doubles, stressed that tennis’ two-man act was not his priority, rather something he was entering on the road to improve his singles which remains his goal.
The Indian, aged 27, is upbeat about the second-round against the sixth seeds. “Today we were up against two singles players and it was tough,” he said, “I think tomorrow will be tough too, but I back us. I think we can pull it off.”