India’s drought of not having a men’s representative in the singles of a Grand Slam event has finally ended.
India’s drought of not having a men’s representative in the singles of a Grand Slam event has finally ended. True to many people’s prediction, it was Somdev Devvarman who managed this feat by qualifying for the main draw of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
From the final of ATP Chennai Open in January to the third round of the Legg Mason Classic, it has been a remarkable first year on the professional circuit for Somdev. But he enters virgin territory on Monday when he will face Portugal’s Frederico Gil on court No.15 in his first round match.
“I am really excited. I am waiting to see who I’ll play in the first round and then get down to preparing myself for the task at hand,” the 24-year-old told DNA just after his final qualifying match on Saturday even before he knew his opponent.
Considering his current form, qualifying for the main draw of a Grand Slam was just around the corner. “But you still have to go out and deliver. I am happy I executed my game well,” he said.
Somdev surely has more than a reasonable chance against world No.110 Gil. But he is taking it one match at a time and is determined not to get carried away. “I have always maintained this. I’ll take one match at a time and focus solely on who I’ll be playing next,” he said.
Gil turned pro in 2003 and has already had the taste of playing in Grand Slam events, having twice played in French Open and Wimbledon. This will be his second US Open appearance. The Portuguese has never gone beyond the first round.
Somdev narrowly failed to qualify for the Australian Open and tried in vain to make the French Open and Wimbledon main draws this year. Prakash Amritraj was the last Indian to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam in 2002 US Open.
The two-time US College circuit champion credits the recent success to his new coach, Scott McGain. “It’s a new relationship. He has come in with his ideas and methods. So far, I have enjoyed his coaching style,” Somdev said. “He has focused on how to approach and prepare for the matches. He does the scouting for me and prepares a game plan which is helpful.”
Sania Mirza, too, will kick-off her campaign against Olga Govortsova of Belarus on Monday.
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