Somdev loses in first round of Australian Open

Melbourne, Jan 17 (PTI) India''s Somdev Devvarman wentdown fighting to Tommy Robredo of Spain in straight sets6-7(4) 3-6 4-6 in the first round of the Australian Open men''ssingles here today.

Somdev, ranked 108, posed some threat to the worldnumber 52 Robredo, who was once ranked as high as number 5,but eventually failed to sustain in a contest that lasted twohours and 37 minutes.

The gutsy 25-year-old Indian, who was handed a wild cardafter his impressive performance last year, tested the Spianrdin the first set, but the latter brought all his experience toultimately prevail with a 7-6 win.

Somdev, making his debut in the Australian Open, couldnot overcome the first round jinx this year, as he hadlost in the Aircel Chennai Open tournament opening round aswell in the beginning of 2011.

With this loss, India''s challenge in men''s singles isover.