JOIN USIndia’s Somdev Devvarman notched up a stunning 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory over defending champion Alexandr Dolgopolov to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the ATP 500 Citi Open here on Wednesday.
The 104 world ranking spots that seperates Somdev from Ukranian ninth seed Dolgopolov didn’t matter much as the world number 129 Indian rode on his aces in the second round battle.
“I’m very happy. That guy is a tough player, no question. I played really well. in the beginning. He gave me a couple errors to break him,” said Somdev, a two-time US college champion.
“He fought back in the second set. I was serving well. It kept me in the match. I gave myself looks on his serve. It was just confidence,” he added.
Somdev, won the Commonwealth Games gold in Delhi and both men’s singles and doubles gold in the 2010 Asian Games in China, said he was feeling good about his game. “I’m pretty sharp. Physically for sure,” said the Arjuna awardee.