Prajnesh Gunneswaran Advances to Second Round in Australian Open Qualifiers

India, 3 January 2026 — Indian tennis player Prajnesh Gunneswaran advanced to the second round of the Australian Open qualifiers after a hard-fought victory over American opponent Bradley Klahn. The match, held in Melbourne, concluded with scores of 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3 in favour of Gunneswaran. The Indian athlete displayed resilience and skill throughout the match, overcoming a second-set tiebreak loss to secure his place in the next round.
Gunneswaran, ranked 176th in the world, is striving to make his return to the main draw of the Australian Open, a feat he achieved last in 2019. His performance on Tuesday, marked by powerful serves and strategic play, has fueled hopes for another successful campaign.
The Australian Open, one of tennis's four Grand Slam tournaments, serves as a significant opportunity for players to gain ranking points and prize money. Gunneswaran's victory is critical not only for his individual career but also for maintaining India's presence in international tennis.
The qualifiers for the Australian Open will continue over the coming days, with Gunneswaran set to face his next opponent in the second round. The outcome of these matches will determine entry into the main draw of the prestigious tournament.
Gunneswaran's progress is being followed closely by Indian tennis enthusiasts, eager to see an Indian player make a deep run in the tournament.