CWG Tennis: Historic first gold for Somdev

NEW DELHI - India’s Somdev Devvarman Sunday created history by becoming the first player to win a gold medal in the men’s singles at the Commonwealth Games tennis competition, which made its debut in this edition. Somdev outclassed Australia’s Greg Jones 6-4, 6-2.

It is also India’s first gold in tennis which has been so far dominated by the Australians. Sania Mirza had to be content with a silver in the women’s singles while Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi settled for a bronze. Sania, partnering Rushmi Chakravarthi claimed women’s doubles bronze with a 6-4, 6-2 win over compatriots Nirupama Sanjeev and Poojashree Venkatesha here Sunday.

Stakes were high for Somdev and he did it is style in front of a packed stadium.

“I took my chances. I am happy to win a gold for my country. It is a great honour for me to represent my country in international events. I will be happy to do it again.”

The 97th-ranked Indian made a quiet start and cleverly kept the ball in play as the towering Australian, ranked 234, went for ambitious hitting in trying to be aggressive. The Indian also muffled the Jones’ strategy to bring him to the net with some delectable passing shots as he dictated from the baseline.

After failing to convert three break points in the fifth game and saving one on his serve immediately, the 25-year-old Indian effected the decisive break in the seventh game. A whipping backhand pass set up the breakpoint and an erratic forehand crosscourt from Jones gifted the break to the Indian who then served out the set with an easy put away to a deafening roar from the packed stadium.

Jones after stretching for a forehand volley at 15-30 in the first game of the second set felt some discomfort in his knee and called for a trainer. He was soon back only to meet a belligerent Indian, who gave away nothing, and the Australian could do little but go through the motions.

However, serving for the match at 5-0, the nerves got the better of Somdev, and he dropped it. He then served out the set in his next service game and went sprawling on the court in elation as Jones smacked a forehand long.