Somdev loses ‘friendly’ encounter to Isner at Washington Open

File photo: The unseeded Somdev Devvarman lost 5-7 5-7 to his “good friend” and eighth seeded American John Isner in what was their first encounter on the circuit of ATP Washington Open.

Indian tennis star Somdev Devvarman bowed out of the ATP Washington Open after going down in straight sets to eighth seeded American John Isner in the third round here.

The unseeded Indian lost 5-7 5-7 to his “good friend” in what was their first encounter on the circuit.

Faced with an opponent ranked more than 100 places above him in the ATP list, Somdev fought well in the opening set, saving as many as six break points.

But he could never really pile the pressure on Isner, who, in the end, managed to get the crucial break while holding his own serve to pocket the set.

Isner, in fact, did not concede a single break point in the entire match.

The local favourite increased his dominance in the second set, sending down nine aces in the process. Once again, Isner managed to break Somdev once out of the three chances he earned to seal the issue.

He will next face Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the quarterfinal.