Samarkand (Uzbekistan): Seventh seed Yuki Bhambri fought past Ivan Gakhov in straight sets to move to the second round even as Divij Sharan bowed out of the USD 50,000 ATP Challenger event, in Samarkand, on Thursday.

Yuki overcame the challenge of the Russian qualifier 6-4 6-3 in the opening round of the clay court tournament. In the one hour and 14 minutes contest, Yuki broke his rival twice in each set. He himself was broken twice in the match but saving three other break chances saved him.