Somdev uncovered by ATP, targets top 50 by year end

Devvarman, the World  ATP # 108 ranked and top Indian Men's Singles player was interview by ATP. Associations of Tennis Professional, known as the ATP,  is the  professional body of Men's Tennis and conducts the management of the Tennis world wide. Check the following video where Somdev talks how he came to tennis world, the college tennis, playing for India, his inspiration and his future goals. 

Devvarman out of French Open 2010

Somdev Devvarman lost in the first round of the French Open 2010 against Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland. The match lasted almost 4 hours ( precisely 3 hour 48 minutes) and was decided in the fifth set. Marco Chiudinelli (ATP # 162), whom Somdev beat earlier at Dubai open won the match with 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 scoreline. Nonetheless, Devvarman gave solid fight till the fifth set and may have won had he kept the momentum going in the fifth set. Both the player had first serve winning percentage above 70 %, however Somdev was able to convert only 3 of the 13 breakpoints he got. Marco did better job in break point conversion, 4 out of 7. Presumably that cost dearly to Somdev. 

Though, Somdev had hit  more aces 13 to Marco's 7, his winners were 37 to Marco's 50. On other parameters both the players had similar game. The breakpoints conversion cost Somdev dearly. Thus, India's representation to Singles event at French Open  2010 in the absence of Sania Mirza ended in the first round itself. Though Somdev's ranking will jump and he may cross the 100 threshold, It's not enough for Somdev and Indian Tennis. The shorter shelf life of Singles Tennis player doesn't give Somdev so many years and opportunities and he should not missed such opportunities to better his career.

Nonetheless, Kudos to Somdev for fighting till the five sets.

Roger Federer and Rafeal Nadal starts their French Open rounds tomorrow.

Somdev to play in Serbia for ATP Challenger after turning 25

The top seeded Indian singles tennis player Somdev Devvarman turned 25 on 13th Feb. Somdev received numerous birthday wishes on his 25th birthday at his twitter account. At present he is in Serbia to play ATP Challenger event in Belgrade. Somdev is seeded 8th at the event and is going to play against Serbian Wild Card Krajinovic Filip. The top favorite for the tournament is Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, who is seeded no. 1 (ATP # 37) at the event. Janko defeated Somdev in the second round of Chennai Open earlier this year. Somdev has good chance to reach the final and avenge the defeat at his home town, which is of course hercules task for Somdev, but not impossible. Somdev is not going to meet another seeded player till the quarterfinal and has good opportunity to gain valuable ATP points, if all goes well. In the quarter final he may meet Kukushkin Mikhail of Kazakhstan, who is seeded 3rd and is ranked 122 in ATP ranking, If Somdev wins the quarter-final, he will meet 2nd seeded Golubev Andrev another Kazak player (ATP # 106).  Hope Somdev wins the tournament and defeat Janko in the final.

Tournament : GEMAX OPEN
Location : Belgrade, Serbia
ATP Challenger Event

Points to be awarded: Winner : 125, Finalist: 75, Semifinalist : 45, Quarter finalist : 25, Round 2 : 10


The top seeded players 

1) Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)
2) Golubev Andrev (KAZ)
3) Kukushkin Mikhail (KAZ)
4) Koubek Stefan (AUT)
5) Phou Bjorn (GER)
6) Brown Dustin (JAM)
7) Beck, Karol (SVK)
8) Somdev Devvarman (IND)

Good Luck Somdev

Somdev exits from Australian Open 2010 Qualifier

Somdev, the top ranked Indian tennis player lost in the third and final round of the Australian Open qualifier. He lost against Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic (ATP # 126), who was seeded 12th in the event in two straight sets 3-6, 6-7. Somdev was seeded 27 and is currently ranked at 161. Earlier Somdev defeated Tobias Kamke of Germany with 2-6,6-1,8-6 in three sets in round 2 and James Duckworth of Australia in round one with 6-1,6-2 score.

Other Indian tennis players Prakash Amritraj and Yuki Bhambri also lost thus ending Indian challenge in the men singles event. Prakash lost in round 2 and Yuki lost in the first round. Somdev's Compatriot whom Somdev defeated in the NCAA finals (US Collegiate event) has risen to ATP # 38 rank and will be competing for the ATP title at Auckland. Isner has shown consistency in his game, which Somdev seems to be lacking. Somdev needs to consistently beat top ranked player to be among the top 50 players.