<p>Rain had held up celebrations for Somdev as he was leading 6-3 5-2 against his rival in the third round match on Friday at the Flushing Meadows here. But Somdev completed his victory last night and set up a first round clash against Portugal's Fredrico Gil, who is currently ranked 110 in the ATP chart.<br /><br />Somdev was ecstatic after the win but knows his job only becomes tougher from here.<br />"I am very happy and excited at having qualified for the main draw, but this is not where the hard work ends as I still have a long way to go. Now, I have to prepare well for whoever I am drawn to play in the main draw," he said after the victory.<br /><br />Somdev thus becomes the first Indian in seven years to figure in the singles event of a Grand Slam tournament. Prakash Amritraj was the last player, who represented India in a Grand Slam when he played in the US Open in 2002.<br /><br />Somdev broke Jerzy once and saved a breakpoint to clinch the first set. Then he converted two more chances in the second set to get closer to a memorable win. Somdev had earlier failed in all three attempts to book a berth in singles competition of a Grand Slam event.</p>
<p>Rain had held up celebrations for Somdev as he was leading 6-3 5-2 against his rival in the third round match on Friday at the Flushing Meadows here. But Somdev completed his victory last night and set up a first round clash against Portugal's Fredrico Gil, who is currently ranked 110 in the ATP chart.<br /><br />Somdev was ecstatic after the win but knows his job only becomes tougher from here.<br />"I am very happy and excited at having qualified for the main draw, but this is not where the hard work ends as I still have a long way to go. Now, I have to prepare well for whoever I am drawn to play in the main draw," he said after the victory.<br /><br />Somdev thus becomes the first Indian in seven years to figure in the singles event of a Grand Slam tournament. Prakash Amritraj was the last player, who represented India in a Grand Slam when he played in the US Open in 2002.<br /><br />Somdev broke Jerzy once and saved a breakpoint to clinch the first set. Then he converted two more chances in the second set to get closer to a memorable win. Somdev had earlier failed in all three attempts to book a berth in singles competition of a Grand Slam event.</p>
