Somdev Devvarman’s Wimbledon debut ended with a straight set defeat against Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the second round, bringing down the curtains on India’s singles challenge at the prestigious grass court tournament here.
The 68th ranked Indian lost 2-6 4-6 4-6 to 18th seed Russian in the rain-hit match last night.
Somdev has done well in the season so far but could not improve his Grand Slam record of having never managed to go past the second round.
Sania Mirza, the lone Indian to figure in the women’s singles, has already crashed out with a first round defeat.
However, there was something to cheer for India as Sania and her partner Elena Vesnina progressed to the second round with a straight set win over Anna Chakvetadze and Melanie Oudin.
The fourth seed Indo-Russian pair quelled a late challenge from the unseeded Russian-American team to record a 6-0 7-6(4) win.
They will next take on Czech Renata Voracova and Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan.
The fourth seed Indo-Pak Express of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq had made a shock first round exit with a 6-2, 2-6, 19-21 defeat against unseeded Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah in a marathon three-setter.
