Somdev Devvarman qualifies for China Open, faces world No.31 Fernando Verdasco
Ranked 97, the Indian ace recorded a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-3 win over his rival, who is placed 12 places above Somdev, in the second and final round of the qualifying event.
Somdev Devvarman recorded yet another come-from-behind victory as he defeated higher-ranked Italian Paolo Lorenzi to qualify for the ATP China Open singles event.
Ranked 97, the Indian ace recorded a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-3 win over his rival, who is placed 12 places above Somdev, in the second and final round of the qualifying event.
Somdev had beaten world number 60 Robin Haase 2-6 6-4 6-0 in the opening round.
However, Somdev faces an uphill task in the main draw as he has drawn world number 31 Fernando Verdasco as his first round opponent in the USD 3,566,050 hard court event.
And if Somdev manages to get past the formidable Spaniard, his next opponent could be world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
In the doubles event, Leander Paes and his Canadian partner Daniel Nestor have given the top billing and they will open their campaign against Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey.
Mahesh Bhupathi and his Swedish partner Robert Lindstedt are seeded second and they face Djokovic and Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.