Somdev eyes US Open berth

Aug 03, 2010 |

Correspondent

New Delhi, Aug. 3: After becoming only the second Indian to crack the top-100 bracket in the ATP professional tennis rankings on Monday, Somdev Devvarman has now set his sights on a US Open berth.

“I am currently four spots out of the main draw but have a good chance of making it to the US Open as some people will pull out. So if I make it I will be excited to play some matches there,” Somdev told this paper from Washington on Tuesday.

Asked how he would celebrate the feat, the Tripura lad said, “I’m really happy to be in the top 100. I have worked really hard to get here so it means a lot to me. Not much celebration.

“I am going to spend some time with friends and my coaches for a couple days and then I am heading to Toronto and getting back to the grind.”

Somdev, who is 96th on the ATP charts, credits his coaches for the achievement.

“I think all the credit has to go to all my coaches in the past and my current coaches Scott McCain and Milos Galecic. My friends and family who have always supported me. They’ve been pushing me to get better each and every day and it feels great to be playing some good tennis at the right time,” the country’s top-ranked singles player said.The 25-year old has had a notable six months so far, qualifying for the French Open and reaching the quarterfinals of the SA Open in Johannesburg.

“I have made huge improvements in my game in the last six months. My results are a lot more consistent now, which I’m happy about,” he said.

Somdev though is not very keen on the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

“I am still not sure if I am going to play at the Delhi Games. I am more concerned about the US Open and the Davis Cup (against Brazil) right now,” said Somdev, who turned pro in 2008.

Devvarman reached his first ATP Tour final at the 2009 Chennai Open, beating two-time former champion and world number 42 Carlos Moya of Spain and the 25th ranked Ivo Karlovic of Croatia. “I have grown a lot as a player over the last two years. I’m only getting better and better,” he added.

Asked about the flaws in his game, he said, “I want to become a more complete player and want to improve everything. I need to keep working on my serve and become more comfortable at the net.”

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