Somdev to play Yuki in semi-final of ATP Challenger

Top seed Somdev Devvarman won his match against Jordi Samper Montana of Spain via a walkover to set up a semi-final clash with his Indian compatriot Yuki Bhambri in the $50,000 ATP Challenger Tennis tournament in Chennai on Thursday.

The other semi-final will be between unseeded Alexander Kudryavtsev of Russia and his second seeded compatriot Evgeny Donskoy.

Montana, who was suffering from stomach cramps and vomiting, offered a walkover to Somdev while seventh seed Yuki Bhambri put up a superb performance to come from behind and get the better of unseeded Louis Pouille of France 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

The Frenchman started stroking fluently on both flanks to outplay Yuki in the first set. Yuki, however, found his bearings in the second set and served brilliantly to take away the advantage from Pouille to win the next two sets with ease which should give him enormous confidence going into the semi-finals. 

Yuki continued his good run in the doubles when he and his partner Michael Venus of New Zealand combined effectively to beat the pair of Thomas Fabbiano of Italy and Agustin Velotti of Argentina while Shriram and Blaz Rola outsmarted and out-volleyed Steven Diez of Canada and Daniel Munoz of Spain in straight sets.

Temperamental Alexander Kudrayatsev of Russia gave Saketh Myneni no chance whatsoever as he annihilated the Indian 6-0, 6-2 in less than an hour. He stroked with great ease, hitting winners to all parts of the court.

He will take on second seed Evgney Donskoy who has been playing just enough to beat his opponents so far. It was no different today also as Donskoy countered Sanam Singh's aggression with superb stroke play and ran away 7-5, 6-4 victorious. 

Image: Somdev Devvarman

Photograph: Renee McKay/Getty Images