Somdev retains Delhi Open title with win over Yuki

A dogged Somdev Devvarman retained the Delhi Open title with a comeback win over Yuki Bhambri, whose game crumbled despite early promise in the summit clash, here today.

Somdev, who has a penchant of wriggling out of difficult situations, was down by a set and trailing 0-2 in the second set but went on to register a 3-6 6-4 6-0 win to claim his second Delhi Open title in a row.

With this victory, Somdev ended a long title-less run which began after winning this title last year.

"Maybe this is the turning point for me. I am not playing my best tennis. My friend and idol Andy Roddick told me that players win when they play their best but when you manage to win when you are not playing your best, it tell a lot about the player," a relieved Somdev said after his win.

Somdev said he was not happy with how the season has panned out for him so far and hopes that this title will turn things around for him.

"I hope this is the turning point. So far save Delhi, it has been average season for me by my standards. It was disappointing because I worked very hard," Somdev said.

The two players stuck to the baseline for a major part of the match and it was Somdev's defense versus Yuki's attacking game. Eventually it was Somdev's perseverance and tremendous fighting spirit that won him the match.

Yuki, who was hitting clean and with authority, was let down by a series of unforced errors and he could never recover after losing his serve in the third game of the second set. He capitulated in the third set, failing to even get on board in the decider.

"I have never been in situation like this. I let my service games go and paid a price for that," Yuki said when asked about his third set collapse.

"I lost it somewhere towards the end of the second set. I expected him to comeback, I was mentally prepared for that fight. But I let it get to me," he said.

Yuki said beating three top-150 players in the tournament has given him lot of confidence.

"Normally you end up winning the title if you do that. But making the final feels good and I feel there is improvement in my game," Yuki said.

Yuki had two chances to go up early but he squandered both in the third game, thanks to unforced errors.

Yuki got another chance to move ahead in the seventh game when Somdev lost four points from 40-15. After serving a double fault to give Yuki a breakpoint, Somdev came up with a stunning forehand winner, setting it up on second serve.

A wide backhand from Somdev handed Yuki the break and the Delhi youngster consolidated it with an easy hold in the next.

Yuki emerged a better player in long rallies, that featured the first set, and reaped reward for his effort as he earned three break chances in the ninth game. Somdev saved the first two but Yuki sealed the opening set with a cracking forehand winner.

Somdev had the chance to grab early initiative by breaking Yuki in the first game of the second set but he squandered three chances. Yuki though did not miss his opportunity. He earned two chances with a backhand winner and Somdev only helped Yuki's cause by hitting a forehand wide on the first chance.

The set though was back on serve with Somdev now breaking Yuki in the third game. Somdev could have gone ahead but Yuki saved a chance in the fifth game.

Put under pressure, cracks started to appear in Yuki's game and he was now making a lot of unforced errors. After hitting a backhand long, Yuki sent a volley out to be down 15-40 and Somdev capitalised by hitting a forehand winner to take seventh game.

That break set Somdev to serve out the second and he did that with ease as Yuki's forehand sailed long in the 10th game.

Meanwhile, the doubles title was won by Egor Gerasimov and Alexander Kudryavtsev. They beat Riccardo Ghedin and Toshihide Matsui 6-7(5) 6-4 10-6 in the final.