New York: Somdev Devvarman has managed to make it to the main draw of the US Open after defeating Briton James Ward in the qualifiers.
World No113 Devvarman got past his 175th-ranked opponent 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a match lasting two hours and 15 minutes Friday. The Indian plays 85th-ranked Lukas Lacko of Slovakia in the opening round at Flushing Meadows.
James Ward kept Somdev on his toes in the thrilling encounter which went till the third-set. Devvarman won the first set by 6-3 but lost the next one by 3-6. However the Indian came back well in the decider set by 6-4 to setup the clash with Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko in the opening round of US Open.
Devvarman took just 38 minutes to claim the first set as he converted his break chances and saved three of his serves. In the second set, Ward pulled up his socks and broke twice to win the second set. Indian threw caution to the wind in the second set and didn’t make the most of the four break points that he got.
As the match progressed to the decider, the tie got much more intense as Somdev started off well and saved couple of break points. He banked on the two of the three chances he got to make his way to the main draw of US Open. This stiff contest went on till the two hours and 15 minutes.
"Happy to be through to the main draw. So excited for next week," Somdev wrote on his twitter page after his match.
Somdev had a decent run in the Australian Open and French Open this season where he made it to the second round but couldn’t make it to the Wimbledon as he lost his chances in the qualifiers.