In a five-set showdown against Jiri Vesely, Alabama alumnus Saketh Myneni fell short of his goal to advance past Round 1 of the U.S. Open. In his Grand Slam singles debut, Myneni proved the spotlight was not too much for him but failed to close out the match.

The right-handed server took a commanding 2-1 set lead and seemed poised for a second-round berth until Vesely stormed back and triumphed in this marathon of a match that concluded 7-6, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2 and 7-5.

For much of the match, it seemed Myneni was in control, obtaining more aces, more winning shots and less unforced errors of the two players. While that is normally the formula for success, it was Vesely who was able to outlast Saketh and win in a thrilling fifth set.

During that deciding set, Vesely capitalized and finished off almost all of the long rallies against Myneni, but what finished Myneni off was Vesely’s advantage in break points.

Even with the loss in Flushing, New York, Saketh Myneni is trending in the right direction. His No. 143 ranking in the ATP World Tour is the second highest listing of his young career.