Somdev qualifies for China Open, faces tough draw

Bangalore Karnataka 04/04/2013 : Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I first round play-off Indonesia against India to be played at the KSLTA Stadium here April 5-7. Indias Somdev Devvarman in Bangalore. Photo by: K_GOPINATHAN

Somdev Devvarman recorded yet another come-from-behind victory as he defeated higher-ranked Italian Paolo Lorenzi to qualify for the ATP China Open singles event.

Ranked 97, the Indian ace recorded a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 win over his rival, who is placed 12 places above Somdev, in the second and final round of the qualifying event.

Somdev had beaten world number 60 Robin Haase 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the opening round.

However, Somdev faces an uphill task in the main draw as he has drawn world number 31 Fernando Verdasco as his first round opponent in the $3,566,050 hard court event.

And if Somdev manages to get past the formidable Spaniard, his next opponent could be world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

In the doubles event, Leander Paes and his Canadian partner Daniel Nestor have been given the top billing and they open their campaign against Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey.

Mahesh Bhupathi and his Swedish partner Robert Lindstedt are seeded second and they face Djokovic and Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.