Somdev Devvarman reaches the second round in New Delhi
Somdev Devvarman from India survived a scare before advancing into the pre quarterfinal round of the men’s singles competition of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi as the top seed battled past Devin Mullings from Bahamas in two
sets in the first round on Tuesday. The final match score was 6-4, 6-2.
Devin gave a rude shock to the Indian fans by grabbing a lead of 4-1 in the first set however Devvarman bounced back into the match by winning the next five games in a row.
The thunderous forehands of the left hander tennis ace from Bahamas left the Indian gasping, however after some time Mullings lost control of his game and thankfully Somdev managed to win the battle in the end.
Devin also took a medical break during the seventh game of the opening set and from there on the match turned in the favour of the Indian. After coming back on the court, some unforced errors started to flow from Devin’s racquet.
A total of two lengthy forehands provided the Indian two break opportunities and Sombev converted the second with a superb double handed back hand winner.
Again, unforced errors, this time a double fault handed Somdev a break in the third game of the second set.
Devin although lost his rhythm however did not give up till the end and battled hard. He secured two breakpoints during the 6th game however the top seed Devvarman prevented the first one with an ace and the next one with the help of a forehand winner.
A second break of serve put the Indian ahead 5-2 and a comfortable hold pushed him to the second round of the singles competition of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
In the evening, Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, the top seed pair will meet Jayawickreme Amresh and Dineshkanthan Thangarajah of Sri Lanka.
The women's duo of Poojashree Venkatesh and Nirupama Sanjeev will also start their campaign versus Aminath Maleela Solih and Aminath Irufa Mahir from Maldives.
In other action, Saina Nehwal, a badminton player led India to a quarterfinal spot in the Delhi event with another single sided victory on Tuesday. The twenty year old Indian won against Mariama Eastland in the day’s session on
Tuesday.
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