Rain stops battle between Yuki and Istomin in Tashkent semis

Yuki Bhambri was locked in an engrossing battle with home favourite and top seed Denis Istomin in the singles semifinal of the Tashent Challenger before rain forced suspension of play, here today.
The fourth seed Indian was leading the world number 67 6-4 3-4 after one hour and eight minutes when skies opened up and despite efforts made by the organisers, the match could not be re-started.
The match will be completed tomorrow. Yesterday also Yuki had to play two mathces in a day and he won both.
Yuki raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set, courtesy a double break -- third and fifth games -- but the exeprienced Uzbek clawed his way back in the match by breaking the Indian in the sixth.

A forehand winner by Istomin put Yuki down by two breakpoints and on the first Delhi boy sent a forehand to net, allowing the local player a little opening.
However, Yuki remained solid, fighting fire with fire and also negated a few close calls which went against him.

He saved a break chance in the eighth game and served out the set in the 10th with a forehand winner.
Yuki made a stupendous start in the second set by breaking the Uzbek in the first game but lost serve in the fourth as it was back on serve. They played solid service games after that till rain halted play.

If Yuki wins the match, he will play his third successive final on the ATP Challenger Tour.