India's campaign in singles at the Australian Open ended after Somdev Devvarman went down to 26th seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain in straight sets in the first round, in Melbourne, on Tuesday.
The unseeded Indian put up a good fight before losing 4-6, 4-6, 6-7(2) to the world No. 27 in two hours and 13 minutes.
- Photos from the Australian Open
Lopez will now take on unseeded German Michael Berrer, who knocked out Michael Llodra of France 6-4, 7-5, 6-1.
Somdev, ranked No 97, won 89 points against Lopez’s 110.
The 28-year-old Indian, who lost in the second round in 2013, had two break-points in the first set, but was unable to convert even one.
Lopez capitalised on the lone break-point he got to take the set.
In the second set, Somdev saved two of the three break-points he faced, but could not prevent Lopez from winning the other and taking the set.
He, however, came out all guns blazing in the third set and gave his higher-ranked opponent a tough fight.
Both players converted two break-points each to push the set to the tie-breaker. But, in the end, Lopez raised his game to come out triumphant.
Image: Somdev Devvarman of India plays a backhand in his first round match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Tuesday
Photograph: Renee McKay/Getty Images
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