After surviving an early scare, top seed Somdev Devvarman led the Indian challenge in an impressive manner when ?ousting Davin Mullings from Bahama in straight sets 6-4 and 6-2 in the first round of the men?s singles of the tennis event in 9th Commonwealth Games (CWG) at R K Khanna Tennis Complex here on Tuesday.
It was unfancied ?Mullings, who began strongly and was leading 3-0 and and then 4-1. ?0-3 and then 1-4 ?in the first set. Stung by the early reverse, Somdev displayed fine determination and fought back strongly to level the score at 4-4. The top Indian tennis star then displayed some fine shots and services to win the next two games and bag the first set 6-4.
The second set saw Somdev taking ?an early 3 ? 1 lead. Though Mullings tried to put up some fight with retaining his service in the next to make it 3-2, Somdev with fine anticipation and good returns bagged the next three games to clinch the issue in his favour.
Commenting on the match, Indian team’s chief coach Jaidip Mukerjea said: ?For all the players first match is always difficult. Somdev was a little ?nervous and jittery. He took a little time to be in his groove. Once Somdev got back his rhythm,? there was no looking back and displayed his true form. ?I am happy with his form.”