Although, unlike last year it was a match against an unseeded player, he said it did not change his preparation or focus.
On clay, serve and volley is no folly
"This guy has been playing well and I had analysed his game as much as possible. During the match I liked to attack him and tried making good returns and hit some really good shots. I think I was pretty focused and played well."
Somdev defeated the 6 feet, 9 inches John Isner, who went on to play the US Open later, in last year's final despite starting as an underdog. Between the two title victories Somdev rated last week's match higher.
"This one is probably more special because it came in my last match as a Cavalier," he said.
The match against Smith, the first unseeded player to reach the final since Brian Vahaly in 2001, was close early in the first set. Neither player had a chance to break until Som took advantage of the match's first break point opportunity to take a 5-3 lead. He held serve in the ensuing game to win the first set 6-3.
In the second set, his momentum continued as he won a five-deuce game to break Smith's serve in the first game of the set. After holding in his first service game, he broke Smith's serve again to lead 3-0. He held that two-break advantage the remainder of the set and closed out the 6-3, 6-2 win.
"He started out serving very well obviously, but once I got a break point in the first set I was able to take a lead and gain confidence," Som said.
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