Somdev, Sonam win first round main draw

Chennai: Indian wild card entrants Somdev Devvarman and Sonam Singh gave enough proof that they are in the same mould like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi when it comes to doubles, as they won the first round main-draw tie over seasoned Russian-American duo of Rik De Voest and Scott Lipsky in the ATP Chennai Open tournament.

The young Indian pair had a strategy and also implemented their game plan to great effects in forcing the more experienced pair to surrender in straight sets 6-2 7-5.

In the post match press conference, Sonam Singh concurred that they are not contemplating to replace anyone in playing for the country.

"Yes. Today we clicked. There are no feelings of urgency in getting a call for playing for India. Som is already a Davis Cupper. Hopefully, we have done well and looking ahead for positive result match after match," Singh said.

The Indians having shown progress ever since they migrated to the US and particularly having to have undergone the grind at the same University perhaps had helped them in their performance today.

"Yes. The grind at the same university had helped us a lot. No doubt, I had improved a lot physically too after being understudy as a junior in the same college where Som belonged. The 30 months that I had spent in the University was of great help to me", he said.

As for the match, Sonam was the best of the two as he exhibited his abilities in coming close to baseline and score winners. In fact, more points was scored off from Sonam's raquets not to discount Indias top rung Somdev.