Delhi Open: Indian top-ranked singles player Somdev breezes into quarters

New Delhi: Somdev Devvarman sailed into the quarterfinals of the USD 100,000 ATP Delhi Open after notching up an easy 6-2 6–2 win over an erratic Di Wu from China, here today.

The second round contest between the number one players of the two countries never rose to the level it was expected to as the Chinese made it too easy for the Indian with his never-ending errors.

Wu looked out of sorts and it took Somdev just 62 minutes to seal a place in the last-eight stage of the ATP Challenger event at the R K Khanna Tennis stadium.

It was first meeting between 96th-ranked Somdev and Wu, who is placed 212 on the ATP ranking charts.

"Wu is a tough guy to play but it was not a tough match. I am happy that I am through. I can play better, hopefully I will play better. The court is slow, it suits my game," Somdev said after the match.

Wu struggled with his first serve right from the outset and his unforced errors pegged him back. The game was of the liking of Somdev as it involved long rallies from the baseline.

Wu smashed one backhand to the net to give Somdev two breakpoints in the third game of the match. Somdev netted a forehand on the first but another error from Wu provided the Indian lead.

A slew of errors from Wu -- a double fault followed by a backhand error after a long rally -- again put the Chinese down 15-40 in the seventh game.

Somdev could not capitalise on the first chance but another backhand error from Wu gave the Indian a second break and a 5-2 lead. Exactly 30 minutes into the match, the Indian served out the set with his fourth ace.

On rare occasions when Wu approached the net and dropped volleys, he had Somdev gasping but surprisingly the Chinese did not do that too often.

Somdev hardly had to earn points as Wu continued to commit unforced errors. A volley on the net put Wu down by a breakpoint in the very first game of the second set and the Chinese followed it up with another unforced error to let the Indian noseahead.

Wu continued in the same fashion in no time helping Somdev race to a 4-0 lead. Wu got one break back when Somdev dropped his serve in the sixth game but it came too late.