Somdev's Oz Open dream shatters

Melbourne, Jan 16: India's hope of entering the Australian Open shattered after Somdev Devvaraman lost in his second qualifying match to Lukasz Kubot of Poland in Melbourne on Friday, Jan 16.

28th seed Somdev began in the right earnest to go one up before his opponent staged a brilliant comeback to pip him 4-6,6-4,7-5 after nearly three hours of marathon fight. World number 154 Somdev converted both the break points and defended one as well to wrap up the first set in 37 minutes. In the second set 207th ranked Kubot turned the table, breaking Somdev once and holding his serve to draw parity.

In the marathon see-saw decider too, Kubot prevailed, converting three break points as against Somdev's two.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)