Somdev storms into main draw

Somdev Devvarman scripted a fairytale start to the new season with a come-from-behind victory over Great Britain’s James Ward 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, in little more than two hours. Thus Somdev joined wild card Ramkumar Ramanathan as the second Indian challenge in the main draw of the ATP Chennai Open here on Sunday. N. Sriram Balaji and Saketh Myneni, who were also in contention, perished in their respective final round matches.

Somdev began on a horrid note by surrendering the first set meekly. The Assam-born player then upped the ante to crawl his way back into the second set with crisp volleys and brilliantly executed cross court winners. Somdev broke Ward in the fifth game to inch closer to staging a comeback before pocketing the set at 7-5. Somdev then raced to a 4-0 lead in the third before Ward could even realise the damage caused. A desperate comeback attempt by Ward proved futile as the Indian wrapped up the proceedings at 6-4.

Somdev said the turning point was when he broke Ward in the second set. “The key was to hold on to my serve,” said Som.