Comeback-man Yuki Bhambri was impressed with his match sharpness and offensive net play in a straightforward straight-setset win against Joao Domingues in the second round of Australian Open qualifying here on Tuesday.
Bhambri, who missed the 2018 US Open due to a knee injury, defeated his 248th-ranked Portuguese opponent 6-4 6-2 in just 68 minutes.
The 29-year-old Indian's serve appeared to be enough, and he rushed the net smartly to keep the points short.
In the outset, he struggled to control his unforced errors, but after a long rally, he gained his first breakpoint in the third game with a forehand winner. Domigues gave the Indians their first break of the match with a double fault.
Bhambri served the following game at love with an ace to take a 3-1 lead against Domingues, who tried to sprint to the net but was forced back by Bhambri's strong strokes.
In the sixth game, Bhambri saved two break opportunities on his serve. At deuce, he hit a superbly placed backhand slice and then a half-volley for a 4-2 advantage.
Bhambri came out serving for the set after obtaining another break thanks to his opponent's unforced errors, but he dropped the service after his miscued overhead smash went out.
He wasn't in a position to make the shot, but he went for it anyhow, expecting the lob to drop behind him, near the alley.
When the Indian returned to serve, he claimed the set.
Bhambri won the first break in the second set as well, leading 4-2. He then finished the match without making a fuss.
Later in the day, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina will play their opening rounds.