Devvarman stuns Cilic
Thursday, 6 August 2009
WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (AFP): India's Somdev Devvarman took the greatest victory of his life by shocking sixth seed Marin Cilic while defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro struggled to advance Tuesday at the Washington Classic.
Devvarman avenged a Chennai finals loss to Cilic by upsetting the Croatian sixth seed 7-5, 6-4 to reach the third round of the 1.4 million-dollar ATP hardcourt tournament, calling it the greatest triumph of his career.
The 24-year-old qualifier, ranked 153rd, hit 62 per cent of his first serves and saved 5-of-7 break points to eliminate 15th-ranked Cilic, who in January denied Devvarman a title in his hometown and in his first ATP title match. "All along I played well," Devvarman said. "My game plan was to compete as hard as possible and let the chips fall where they will. I took my chances well. I'm proud of the result." Taiwan's 62nd-ranked Lu Yen-Hsun made an upset bid of his own but fell short as second seed and world number six Del Potro of Argentina rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. "It was a difficult match," Del Potro said. "It took some time to find my rhythm."
Devvarman avenged a Chennai finals loss to Cilic by upsetting the Croatian sixth seed 7-5, 6-4 to reach the third round of the 1.4 million-dollar ATP hardcourt tournament, calling it the greatest triumph of his career.
The 24-year-old qualifier, ranked 153rd, hit 62 per cent of his first serves and saved 5-of-7 break points to eliminate 15th-ranked Cilic, who in January denied Devvarman a title in his hometown and in his first ATP title match. "All along I played well," Devvarman said. "My game plan was to compete as hard as possible and let the chips fall where they will. I took my chances well. I'm proud of the result." Taiwan's 62nd-ranked Lu Yen-Hsun made an upset bid of his own but fell short as second seed and world number six Del Potro of Argentina rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. "It was a difficult match," Del Potro said. "It took some time to find my rhythm."