Somdev sails into quarters

Second seed Somdev Devvarman was back in his elements as the India No 1 knocked out last week’s Chennai leg runner-up Alexander Kudryavtsev in 57 minutes to storm into the last eight of the ATP Challenger Tour at BTA Courts, here on Wednesday.

Playing with a wildcard, Somdev should have it easy in the quarters against Spain’s Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, who is ranked 208th. Somdev is the only Indian in fray in the USD 50,000 event.

There was also disappointment in store for the ATP Chennai winner Yuki Bhambri, who made a shock second-round exit going down to third seed Evgeny Donskoy without any resistance.

The day’s play also saw two upsets in fourth seed Go Soeda of Japan and seventh seed Radu Albot of Moldova who were ousted by their respective opponents.

It was a memorable day for Taiwanese qualifier Ti Chen, who showed the door to Roger Federer’s Davis Cup teammate Marco Chiudinelli 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 in a two-hour 51-minute battle.

Results:

Men’s singles (pre-quarterfinals): Aleksandr Nedovyesov bt Daniel Cox 6-3, 4-6, 6-4; David Guez bt Gerard Granollers 7-5, 6-3; Ilija Bozoljac bt Go Soeda 6-4, 6-3; Agustin Velotti bt Daniel Munoz-de La Nava 6-3, 6-2; Ti Chen bt Marco Chiudinelli 7-5, 6-7 (0), 6-3; Evgeny Donskoy bt Yuki Bhambri 6-3, 6-4; Adrian Menendez-Maceiras bt Radu Albot 6-4, 7-6 (3), Somdev Devvarman bt Alexander Kudryavtsev 6-3, 6-3.