Somdev hangs tough to pull off a five-setter at the US Open

All eyes were on Court No. 13 at the Flushing Meadows where India’s only hope in the singles of US Open, Somdev Devvarman, was locked in a battle with no. 84, Slovakian Lukas Lacko.

It was a poor start by Somdev’s standard as Slovakian Lacko broke him twice in the first set. Though Somdev got one break back it was Lacko’s perfect service and powerful winners that fetched him the first set 6-4 in just 36 minutes. Somdev’s shots were all over the place as he looked unfit right from the very beginning.

Just when it seemed that Somdev’s defence was falling apart, it was some good defensive display doubled up with Lacko’s unforced errors that saw the Indian clawing back into the match. He eventualy outplayed his opponent in the next hour to win the 2^nd and 3^rd set with respective scores of 6-1, 6-2. The slovak lost his way completely after making a bright start.

The 4^th set saw the Slovak making a comeback into the the match as he held sway over Somdev to clinch the set 6-4. However in the 5^th and the final deciding  set, Somdev got back his natural game and emerged winner with the scoreline marking 6-4 in favour of the Indian.

Finally after a long fight, with the match extending over 3 hours, the 114ranked Indian qualifier emerged victorious with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-1, 6-2,4-6, 6-4. Though the stats showed that Somdev made only 26 unforced errors and won 27 out of 29 net points, none of the contenders set the court blazing. Infact Somdev had to come of a nervy start, which gave his opponent an upper-hand. Fortunately he got back his rhythm back just when it mattered most.

Somdev’s win in the first round of the US Open could well be the signs of the numero uno Indian in the singles circuit making a comeback after a few slip-ups due to some injury concerns last year that saw him fall beyond the top 100 players in the world. This could just be the turn around that he needed to bring some glory back to Indian tennis.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.