With new coach, qualifier Somdev Devvarman eyes a fresh start
The 2015 season was not a fruitful one for Somdev Devvarman. (Source: Express file)
The 2015 season wasn’t one Somdev Devvarman will remember fondly. The 30-year-old participated in 19 ATP Challenger events, falling in the first round in 10 of them. He did manage to win two titles, at New Delhi in February and Winnetka in July. He beat World No.40, Czech’s Jiri Vesely, at the Davis Cup — a high point in an otherwise poor year.
His inconsistency throughout the year saw his singles World ranking drop from 136 at the start of the year to 177 at the end of it. Consequently, India’s current No.3 will start the upcoming Chennai Open as a qualifier for the first time.
Since his last Challenger event of the season, back in October, Devvarman has sought the tutelage of a new coach Theodoros Angelinos. Coupled with a new diet plan and fitness regime, the only Indian to have reached the final of the Chennai Open singles, back in 2009, has brought a leaner look to his appearance on court.
Joining Devvarman in the qualifiers’ list is India No.2 Saketh Myneni who has had a strong end to his outing on the ATP Challenger Circuit this year. He followed up his runner-up finish at the Agri Cup in Turkey with a victorious campaign at the Vietnam Open in October. The World No.126 also finished in the semi-final stages of two other challenger events.
Meanwhile, the third Indian in the qualifiers for the tournament is 27-year-old Sanam Singh. The World No.210 found more success in the ITF Futures events than in the Challengers. Of the nine future tournaments he played — in the United States and Canada — he reached the final on three occasions, winning twice.
Myneni and Sanam, who won the silver medal for India in the men’s doubles of the 2014 Asian Games, also won the challenger event in Bangalore in October. However, with different partners Myneni won Folkart Izmir Cup in Turkey, with Divij Sharan, and after pairing up with Sanam won the USA F21 Futures with Darian King.
