Thaindian News

London, June 24 (IANS) India’s Somdev Devvarman bowed out of the Wimbledon men’s singles second round with a 2-6, 4-6, 4-6 defeat to 18th seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

It was 68th ranked Somdev’s second straight defeat to Youzhny, who had got the better of him in the Davis Cup World Group tie at Moscow last year.

The 26-year-old Indian has never moved beyond the second round of a Grand Slam in five previous attempts. Somdev, however, is in contention in the men’s doubles where he is partnering Japan’s Kei Nishikori. They face Germany’s Rainer Schuettler and Alexander Waske in the first round.

Somdev, who was making his singles debut here, admitted to having a “tough” outing Thursday.

“Definitely, a tough day at the office for me.. losing in slams is never easy emotionally… now doubles next tomorrow with Kei,” Somdev tweeted.

The US-based Indian had an easy first round when his German opponent Denis Gremelmayr retired midway through the second set.

With his loss, India’s challenge in the singles is over with its top women player Sania Mirza already out in the first round.

The 24-year-old Hyderabadi, however, advanced to the women’s doubles second round with Russian Elena Vesnina here Thursday.

The fourth-seeded pair of Sania and Elena overcame a second set resistance from unseeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia and Melanie Oudin of the US to win 6-0, 7-6(4).

They now play Czech Renata Voracova and Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhastan, who defeated England’s Naomi Broady and Emily Webley-Smith 6-3, 6-4.

Sania was doubtful for the doubles events owing to a painful left knee injury she aggravated during her first round singles loss Tuesday. She was to decide on her participate after an ultrasound scan.