Somdev and Sanam Singh ensure a medal
(ASIAN GAMES, GUANGZHOU)

MONDAY 15, November 2010.

Somdev Devvarman defeated the defending champion Danai Udomchoke 7-5, 7-5 as India got past Thailand to reach the men's semifinals of the team event in tennis in the Asian Games.

In the semifinals, India will meet the top-seeded Chinese Taipei that beat Philippines, while the other semifinal will feature Japan and Uzbekistan.

Solid game

Backed by a strong first rubber by Sanam Singh, who was quicksilver on court and magical with his explosive shots on either flank, in providing a strong start, Devvarman played a solid game to beat the wily Udomchoke.

The Thais won the dead doubles rubber, as the Ratiwatana twins, Sanchai and Sonchat, beat Karan Rastogi and Vishnu Vardhan 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, in a face saving exercise.

The other mixed doubles combination will be Sanam Singh and Rushmi Chakravarthi.

For the individual singles, Somdev Devvarman and Karan Rastogi have been nominated, and it will be Sania Mirza and Poojashree Venkatesh for women.

Since, a player was being allowed to compete only in two of the three individual events, Sania will not play women's doubles.

That will give a chance for Tara Iyer to partner Nirupama Sanjeev, and the other pairing will be Poojashree and Rushmi.

Devvarman and Sanam will partner each other for doubles, and the other pair will be Rastogi and Vardhan.

Results: Men (quarterfinals):

India beat Thailand 2-1 (Sanam Singh bt Kittiphong Wachiranamowong 6-1, 6-4;

Somdev Devvarman bt Danai Udomchoke 7-5, 7-5;

Karan Rastogi and Vishnu Vardhan lost to Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana 6-3, 3-6, 2-6) .