Yuki Bhambri failed to clear the first hurdle as he bowed out of the Australian Open Tennis Men's Singles qualifiers after losing the opening round match to 28th seed Italian Potito Starace at Melbourne today. The 21-year-old Indian youngster made a good comeback after losing the first set but could not maintain the momentum against world number 153 opponent, losing 3-6, 6-1, 2-6 after one hour and 45 minutes. Starace, a top 30 player in 2007, won 85 points to 79 of Yuki. The Italian hit 26 winners while Yuki 23. However, Yuki is set to make his Grand Slam debut as he will compete in the doubles event of the Australian Open with New Zealand partner Michael Venus, with whom he won the wild card play-off event in China.