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Somdev qualifies for US Open singles

Last updated on: August 30, 2009 03:24 IST

Somdev DevvarmanIndia's Somdev Devvarman beat Poland's Jerzy Janowicz 6-3, 6-2 in his third and final round of the qualifiers to enter the US Open main draw at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.

India's No 1 singles player was leading 6-3, 5-2 against his opponent in the third round match when rain forced suspension of play on Friday.

He was serving for the match with the scores level 15-15 in the eighth game of the second set. When he resumed on Saturday, he wasted little time in serving out the set.

Somdev becomes the first Indian to qualify for the US Open mens' singles main draw since 2002.

Earlier, Somdev, a two-time US collegiate winner from University of Virginia, beat Dutchman Igor Sijsling 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the second round to set up a final qualifying tie against Jerzy Janowicz.

Prakash Amritraj was the last Indian player to make it through the qualifying rounds of a Grand Slam event at the US Open in 2002.

Somdev had failed in three attempts earlier to book a berth in the singles of a Grand Slam event.