Somdev faces Chiudinelli in 1st round at French Open

Somdev Devvarman has got a tricky opener in the French Open singles as he has been drawn against world number 65 Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland.

Somdev leads the head-to-head count 1-0 but that win in Dubai in February this year was a hard-earned one.

If Somdev manages to beat Chiudinelli in the first round, he will probably meet American 17th seed and world number 19 John Isner in the second round.

Somdev had beaten big-serving Isner in 2007 to win his maiden NCAA championship title in the US.

But Somdev and Isner have not clashed on Tour even once after turning professionals.

Isner is up against Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan in his opening round.

Somdev, ranked 109, on Friday became the first Indian in 13 years to make the men's singles main draw of the French Open.

Leander Paes was the last Indian to play at Roland Garros in 1997 when he reached the second round.