Somdev wraps up 2009 year on high note

Somdev Devvarman, the numero-uno Indian tennis sensation ended 2009 season on high note. He started the year by reaching the final of ATP Chennai  (his home town) Open 2009 en route defeating top players like Carlos Moya, and Ivo Karlovic. He started the year at ATP #209 and so far has reached to ATP #126 (ATP# 116 -highest career ranking).

Major Success of 2009

Grand Slam : Somdev participated in Wimbledon (Doubles) and US Open 2009. Though he lost in the
the first round of Wimbledon Doubles, He reached to 2nd round of US Open Singles. He didn't qualify for Australian and French Open.

Davis Cup : Somdev Played for India in Davis Cup against South Africa and Taiwan. India won both the ties defeating Taiwan with 3-2 and South Africa with 4-1. Somdev won both singles against South Africa and Taiwan. Somdev's super efforts put India into World Group after 11 years of gap. India will play against Russia for the first World group match in Russia.

ATP Challenger : Somdev participated in various ATP Challenger events reaching quarters of Seoul Open and final of Charlottesville Challenger.

ATP Tournament : Somdev reached third round of Legg Mason Classic en-route defeating Marian Cilic in the 2nd round.

The year 2010 will bring more success to Somdev's and hopefully he will become the Top 50 Player in the world.

Somdev puts India into Davis Cup World group

Somdev's second singles win against top seeded South African Rik de Voest with scoreline as 3-6, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-4 placed India into Davis Cup World group after 11 years. The marathon game lasted for almost 5 hours. Both the players started the first set nervously, the South African ranked at 189 was successful in breaking Somdev's serve in 5th game that gave him 3-2 lead, which he maintained by holding his serve and completed the set in 50 mintues with scoreline as 6-3. Nevertheless, Somdev was playing hard. The next set was closely fought as both the player held their respective serve. In the tie-breaker, somdev lost the set 7-3.

After loosing the first two sets, It was tough for the 133 ranked Indian as Rik was playing excellent serve and volley game. However, Somdev maintained his cool and continued his efforts. "I was down two sets. I kept looking at the bench. My teammates stood behind me and that gave me the confidence to fight back", Somdev quoted. The third set was tight for both the player as it went into tie-break. It was make or break for Somdev, he pulled the set with 7-5 scoreline in the tie-break. This gave him a chance and confidence to fight for another two set as Somdev was quoted saying "After I took the third set, I knew it was going to be a very tough but I had full confidence in my abilities and fitness." The next set was easy for Somdev as he broke Rik twice in 4th set to win it by 6-2 and Rik seems to be exhausted. In the fifth set Somdev Devvarman broke Rik's serve in the 5th game after the controversial line call, which went against the South African. Finally, Somdev sealed the victory with 6-4 scoreline and also place for India in Davis Cup World Group after 11 long year."It is a wonderful feeling to see India into the World Group" mentioned the elated Somdev.

Nevertheless, Somdev was full of praise of his oppenent,"He started playing unbelievable tennis. He was spot on with his tactics and was executing them really well. Rik is a great player and a great teammate. He was making me look silly at the start," he said.

With 3-1 lead, the next reverse singles is in-consequential. World's top Junior player Yuki Bhambri is going to play against 2nd seeded South African Izak van der Merwe.

Earlier, India conceded the doubles game as Mahesh Bhupathi was unable to continue the match because of the groin injury sustained during the 3rd set. India was down 6-3, 3-6, 4-0, when Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Boppana conceded the match.