Abhimanyu Vannemreddy earned a wildcard entry into Junior French Open with a fighting win over Hikaru Shiraishi in the final of the Rendez-Vous event. The 17-year-old Abhimanyu tamed the fighting Japanese 6-1 4-6 6-1 in two hours and 15 minutes at court number six of Roland Garros.

But to the Shiraiashi’s credit, he showed exemplary fighting spirit as twice he was bleeding from his nose due to heat but never threw in the towel.

It has been an amazing journey for Abhimanyu too as he was not the supposed to compete in the Rendez-Vous as he had lost the Rendez-Vous regional qualifying final to Siddanth Banthia.

Banthia got injured and pulled out, allowing Abhimanyu to come in as last-minute replacement.

The Bengaluru boy grabbed the opportunity with both hands and became the first Indian to win the event.

In the previous two editions, none of the four Indians, who competed had not even qualified for the final.