New Delhi:
A dogged Somdev Devvarman retained the Delhi Open title with a comeback win over Yuki Bhambri, whose game crumbled despite early promise in the summit clash, here today.
Somdev, who has a penchant of wriggling out of difficult situations, was down by a set and trailing 0-2 in the second set but went on to register a 3-6 6-4 6-0 win to claim his second Delhi Open title in a row.
With this victory, Somdev ended a long title-less run which began after winning this title last year.
“Maybe this is the turning point for me. I am not playing my best tennis. My friend and idol Andy Roddick told me that players win when they play their best but when you manage to win when you are not playing your best, it tell a lot about the player,” a relieved Somdev said after his win.
Somdev said he was not happy with how the season has panned out for him so far and hopes that this title will turn things around for him.
“I hope this is the turning point. So far save Delhi, it has been average season for me by my standards. It was disappointing because I worked very hard,” Somdev said.
The two players stuck to the baseline for a major part of the match and it was Somdev’s defense versus Yuki’s attacking game. Eventually it was Somdev’s perseverance and tremendous fighting spirit that won him the match.
Yuki, who was hitting clean and with authority, was let down by a series of unforced errors and he could never recover after losing his serve in the third game of the second set. He capitulated in the third set, failing to even get on board in the decider.
“I have never been in situation like this. I let my service games go and paid a price for that,” Yuki said when asked about his third set collapse.
“I lost it somewhere towards the end of the second set. I expected him to comeback, I was mentally prepared for that fight. But I let it get to me,” he said.
Yuki said beating three top-150 players in the tournament has given him lot of confidence.
