No nerves for plucky Somdev

A little distance away from the glittering show courts at Flushing Meadows on Monday,Indian tennis was throwing its own noisy little party.

A little distance away from the glittering show courts at Flushing Meadows on Monday,Indian tennis was throwing its own noisy little party. It began when Somdev Devvarman continued his run from the US Open qualifiers to the main draw second round,and ended well after Sania Mirza had wrapped up her three-set victory over Olga Govortsova.

Indias top-ranked mens player had it all his own way in a 6-3 6-4 6-3 display over Portuguese Fredrico Gil,Sania didnt let a troublesome wrist get in the way of a 6-2 3-6 6-3 win,and India,for the first time,had representation in the second rounds of both the mens and womens singles draws of a Grand Slam.

The supporters out on Court 15 played their part,and 24-year-old Devvarman didnt disappoint,keeping the pressure on Gil through every point they played,and not letting breaks of serve turn into unmanageable situations. The Indian got a taste of the big league earlier this year,making it to the Chennai Open final and the quarters of an ATP event in Washington recently,but being on a stage of Grand Slam proportions is an entirely different feeling. There were a lot of people in the stadium today and it was really bustling. The people got behind me and the atmosphere was great. Its a good thing for Indian tennis too,and I hope this encourages many kids to pick up a racquet, said Somdev.

There were moments when his serve was under pressure,finding himself a break down in the second and third sets,but Somdev finished the contest in straight sets to set up a meeting with in-form German Philipp Kohlschreiber. I lost my serve early in the second and third sets,but I was able to raise the level of my game. Im glad I could do the job in three sets. I served well on those close points and felt pretty good through the match because I was in control. Playing three rounds in the qualifiers kept me sharp, he added.

His next opponent,Kohlschreiber,lost a mere eight games in his first-round victory over Andreas Seppi,and a breakthrough win over world No 4 Novak Djokovic a couple of months ago means the 23rd seed will be the favourite to get past the second round. For Somdev though,its just another match. Hes obviously a high-quality player. My coach and I will discuss the kind of gameplan that may work against him,and hopefully Ill be able to execute it.

Sania beats the wrist

Heading into the US Open,Sanias right wrist was proving to be a bit of a bother,but after surviving three sets against a higher-ranked opponent,she prefers to look at the bright side. It was not perfectly pain-free but the fact that I could win in three sets against a strokeplayer is encouraging, Sania told The Indian Express.

After an early break in the first,Sania lost her way in the second,but pulled her game together when it mattered. A couple of points can swing a match either way,and thats what happened today. Im happy to have come through, she added.

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Tenth seed Flavia Pennetta and Sania Mirza have had many friendly conversations during their time on tour,but the Indian is expecting no favours when she plays her in the second round. Shes on a hot streak and is the player to beat. We are good friends but I hope I can straighten out the 3-2 lead she holds against me in our head-to head standings. Its always exciting to play a top-10 player and all the pressure will be on her.