Somdev no match for Tipsarevic

Somdev Devvarman was nowhere near to his best as the last year's runner-up crashed out of the singles event of the Chennai Open after suffering a severe straight-set mauling at the hands of fourth seed Serb Janko Tipsarevic.

Somdev Devvarman’s coach, Scott McCain, looked across at the court where Janko Tipsarevic, his second-round opponent was practising. “If he (Tipsarevic) keeps playing from the green part of the court (past the baseline) we are good, if he plays more on the blue (court) we will be in trouble,” the American said.

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Somdev’s camp was in trouble. By the time Tipsarevic hit his final forehand winner, he had made several trips to the service line, while the Indian was pushed too far behind the baseline to conjure up any sort of a fight.

Holding his serve just once in the match, Somdev went down 2-6, 1-6 to the fourth seeded Serb in the second round to end his Chennai sojourn in a whimper.

The match started on a scratchy note as the players struggled on their service games. The first five games went against serve, before Tipsarevic held for a 3-2 lead, but only narrowly as the ball flopped over Somdev’s side off the let cord. Though the Indian made some good rallies, and came out stronger as the points extended, Tipsarevic was in a different league altogether.

Somdev gave his opponent too many shots at his second serve, and Tipsarevic rightly stepped on the gas, leaving his base at the baseline and penetrating further into the court.