02 Feb 2020

Ajeet Rai can expect a jump in world ranking for both singles and doubles when they are next updated, after having 2 good weeks playing in ITF Futures in Cancun, Mexico.

In last weeks’ tournament, Rai was given a wildcard entry into the main draw and in the first round defeated the 7^th seed and world number 508, 3-6 6-2 6-2 before succumbing in the 2^nd round to a Slovakian 6-4 6-4; whilst also going out in the 1^st round of the doubles (with partner Simon Carr, IRL) in a narrow loss via a match tiebreak.

Jump forward a week and without the benefit of a wildcard entry into the main draw, Rai had to win three rounds of qualifying to make the main draw.  Rai almost lost in the 1^st round of qualifying but fortunately won the match 6-2 3-6 10-5.  Thereafter, he had two further qualifying wins, 6-2 6-2 & 7-6(0) 6-4.

Into the main draw and Rai had to play the same Slovakian player (No.8 seed) that had knocked him out of both the singles and doubles last week.  Rai showed great improvement, winning that match 6-4 6-0.  The Slovakian has been as high as 250 in the world.  In the 2^nd round match, Rai defeated Brandon Walkin (Aus) 7-5 6-3, before losing in the quarterfinal to a USA player 6-4 7-5.