Indian Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan's good run came to an end at the USD 50,000 ATP Challenger event with a semifinal defeat at the hands of Australian fifth seed Chase Buchanan here today.
The left-handed unseeded Indian put up a brave fight against his rival, ranked 96 places above him at 263, before losing 4-6 4-6 in one hour and 13 minutes.
It was the first singles semifinal appearance for Jeevan at a Challenger level event.
There was hardly any scope for error and when Jeevan blinked at 1-1 in the opening set, Buchanan made no mistake in getting that break. The Australian kept the lead with him and closed the first set in his favour as the remaining games went with serve. It was a good contest as Jevan played clean, fired five aces and made no double fault.
In the second set too, one mistake took it away from Jeevan. He was up 30-0 in the ninth game after first eight went on serve, but lapse in concentration cost him the game and the Australian served out the match in the next.
Jeevan will next play in an ITF event in Guam.
