Del Potro ends Devvarman's challenge in Dubai

Dubai - Juan Martin Del Potro ended Somdev Devvarman’s spirited challenge in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship here Wednesday beating the Indian 6-4, 6-4 in the second round.

Devvarman, who pulled off a fine win against Russian Igor Kunitsyn in the first round, fell short against the formidable World No.7. A break of serve in each set was enough for the big-serving Argentine to seal the match lasting one hour 28 minutes.

Most of the opportunities for Devvarman came in the first set but he could not capitalise on them, eventually proving costly against a top opponent. The second set saw Devvarman losing the opening game on his serve, putting him on the back foot for the remainder of the contest. The match ended with the World No.315 hitting a backhand long.

Surprisingly, the Indian put 70 percent of his first serves in, 11 percent more than Del Potro, and fired five aces to the Argentine’s two.

India’s doubles specialists Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohon Bopanna will be in action later in the day with different partners.