Somdev out but Sania, Leander and Mahesh advance

A profligate Somdev Devvarman squandered chances galore to crash out of US Open singles even as Sania Mirza advanced in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles events here at Fushing Meadows.

Somdev, who was trailing by two sets, staged a dramatic comeback by blanking 23rd seed German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third set but eventually lost his second round encounter 3-6 4-6 6-0 2-6 after a close to three-hour battle last night.

With Somdev’s defeat, Indian challenge ended in the singles events. Sania is already out of singles after suffering one of the worst defeats of her career in the second round against Italian friend Flavia Pennetta.

Somdev, who won three qualifying matches to make it to the main draw, could convert only four of the 20 breakpoints against experienced Kohlschreiber, who had defeated Novak Djokovic in the French Open.

“Qualifying for the US Open was a great breakthrough for me and then to win a match and take a set off Philipp and have some chances against him will give me great confidence for the future,” he said after the match.

However in all other matches of the day, Indians came out triumphant.

Sania and her Italian partner Francesca Schiavone, seeded 14th, survived a scare from unseeded Ekaterina Dzehalevich of Belarus and Czech Renata Voracova before recording a 5-7 7-5 6-1 win to advance to the women’s doubles second round.

Later Sania teaming up with Candian Daniel Nestor outplayed Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan and Ashley Fisher of Australia 6-3 6-1 in the first round of the mixed doubles.

Defending champions Leander Paes and Cara Black of Zimbabwe overcame a fighting unseeded pair of Swiss Patty Schnyder and South Africa’s Wesley Moodie.

The second seeded Indo-Zimbawean pair tamed the unseeded opponents 6-4 3-6 11-9 in the first round of mixed doubles.

Third seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles cruised to the men’s doubles second round after scoring a comfortable 6-3 6-4 win over American James Cerretani and Lovro Zovko of Croatia.

Mirza, Devvarman charge into round two at US Open

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza defeated Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

India’s Sania Mirza and Somdev Devvarman have already had a successful US Open only one day into the year’s last Grand Slam tournament thanks to impressive first-round triumphs for each on Monday.

In a historic double for their homeland, Mirza defeated Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, while qualifier Devvarman downed Portugal’s Frederico Gil 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the second round on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.

“I’m really happy we have two players in the second round of a Grand Slam. Things are looking up,” Mirza said. “For a long time I was the only player in singles draws at the Grand Slams. It’s great Somdev is playing well.”

Mirza, who has struggled after a right wrist injury last year, went 1-5 in one 2009 stretch but fought through the pain and fear of a career-threatening injury to the Birmingham semi-finals in June and an important US Open victory.

“The toughest thing is to get that first win under your belt,” Mirza said. “Under the circumstances I’m just happy I can come through that match and get off to a good start.

“To me it has already been successful.”

Somdev Devvarman

Devvarman defeated Portugal’s Frederico Gil 6-3, 6-4, 6-3

Devvarman, a two time US college champion who reached the Chennai final in his hometown back in January, reached a Slam main draw for the first time in four tries with three qualifying wins, then made the most of his opportunity.

“I finally qualified for a Slam and won a match,” Devvarman said. “I really dug in there, didn’t get tight. I competed well. That’s what gets you through those tough ones – the way you compete.

“I don’t want to jinx myself but I feel good about where I am. I’ve had a couple of quality wins. It gives me a lot of confidence and belief that I can come out and compete with anyone. My game is up there with the rest.”

Devvarman, ranked 162nd, will next face Philipp Kohlschreiber, the German 23rd seed who beat Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.

Mirza, ranked 74th, faces a tough second-round test against Italian 10th seed Flavia Pennetta. But she sent 65th-rated Govortsova packing and in some ways has never been better.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing,” Mirza said. “Physically I’ve never been fitter in terms of the way I’m moving on the court and playing in matches.

“I came up with the big shot that I needed to have. I have that big weapon when I need to use it.”

Mirza, 24, is finally over her injury and ready to make a run at her career high ranking of 27th from 2007.

I’m at that stage where I’m ready to go up again and go into the new year with confidence,” Mirza said. “The major wrist problem is finally gone. It’s about trying to stay as injury-free as possible.

“It was hurting me on basically every shot, even picking up a fork at one point. You don’t realize how much you miss playing tennis until you think you might not be able to play again. That made me really grow as a person.

“I appreciate it more being on a tennis court now.”

Mirza is engaged to Sorab Mirza, their already-shared last name a happy coincidence – “I always tell him that’s the only reason I’m marrying him,” Mirza joked – but no wedding date has been set.

“We’re not in a hurry,” she said.

Devvarman, 24, was three points from qualifying when rain hit and forced him to return 21 hours later to achieve his first Slam draw.

“I had some matches coming into today and I think that helped,” Devvarman said. “I put in some really good training. Fitness is the strength of my game. Hopefully I will keep that going.”

After one year of adapting to the pro ranks, Devvarman said the worst of those times is behind him.

“It has been an emotional roller coaster for me,” he said. “You are dealing with a lot of adversity but it makes you better. You keep fighting.”