Teen sensation Yuki Bhambri's historic junior singles title lit up the day for India at the Australian Open before Mahesh Bhupathi's loss in the men's doubles final rounded it off on a disappointing note in Melbourne on Saturday.
Yuki scripted history by becoming the first Indian to clinch the Australian Open junior singles title with an emphatic 6-3 6-1 win over German Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas at the Melbourne Park.
However, Bhupathi's seven-year Grand Slam title drought in men's doubles continued after the Indian and his Bahamian partner Mark Knowles squandered a one-set lead to go down to Americans Bob and Mike Bryan 6-2 5-7 0-6.
But it was nonetheless a historic day for India thanks to Yuki who took just 57 minutes to pocket his first Grand Slam singles title, becoming the fourth Indian to do so in the process.
The other Indians in the elite list are Ramanathan Krishnan (1954 Junior Wimbledon champion), his son Ramesh Krishnan (1979 Wimbledon and French Open junior champion) and Leander Paes (1990 Junior Wimbledon and Junior US Open champion).
The Delhi boy, who lost in the semi-finals in Melbourne last year, was at his dominant best from the start and seemed determined to lift the title this time.
{{/usCountry}}The Delhi boy, who lost in the semi-finals in Melbourne last year, was at his dominant best from the start and seemed determined to lift the title this time.
{{/usCountry}}He broke his German opponent in the fourth game of the opening set to go up 3-1 and then maintained his composure to seal it in 31 minutes.