US Open qualifiers: Somdev Devvarman enters 2nd round

India’s highest ranked singles player, Somdev Devvarman, progressed through to the 2^nd round of US Open qualifiers with a straight sets victory over Brazilian Fabiano De Paula. The Indian defeated world number 227, De Paula 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 9 minutes.

From the beginning of the match being played on Court 7 at Flushing Meadows, Devvarman tried to apply pressure on the Brazilian’s serve, thus creating two break points opportunities early in the set. However, De Paula managed to hold serve despite a series of deuces. The Indian’s continuous pressure finally yielded results as Somdev broke his opponents’ serve in the 5^th game and consolidated it with a service hold to take a 4-2 lead in the set. The remaining set went on serve as Devvarman pocketed the opening set in 38 minutes.

In the 2^nd set, Devvarman seemed to be racing away with the match with an early break giving him a 2-1 lead. However, De Paula immediately retaliated to level the set back at 2-2. On the next instance though, Devvarman created multiple break point opportunities that were duly converted, giving the Indian the advantage back in the set. At 5-3 with the Brazilian serving to stay in the match, Somdev converted his first match point chance to win the set 6-3 and seal a 2^nd round berth.

Devvarman will now face the winner of the match between former world number 15 American Robby Ginepri and Giovanni Lapentti of Ecuador in the next round.