Somdev Devvarman crashed out of Wimbledon qualifiers after losing an exhausting and energy-sapping first round match against Matt Reid of Australia on Monday.
Somdev who is ranked 78 above Reid at 135, squandered away a good start to lose by 6-7 (4), 6-4, 16-18 in his opening round of the Grass Court Grand Slam of the season.
The Indian had an excellent lead in the first set and had a match point in the ninth game of the third set but allowed Reid to return every time and proceeded to lose the match.
Both the players fought tooth and nail in the 34-game third set. However it was Reid who won the battle as he broke Somdev in the 34th game to march in to the second round. Somdev's defeat implies that there won't be any Indian in the men's singles draw of the Wimbledon in this year. Actually, it was the first clash between 22nd seeded Somdev in the qualifiers and unseeded Reid.
Somdev had taken a 3-1 lead following an early break but dropped serve in the fifth game which allowed the Australian to make it an easy affair. The set continued with serve from that point and entered a tie-breaker to conclude the first set. Further, Reid took control of the tie-breaker by racing to a 5-1 lead and comfortably grabbed a one-set lead. However, the second set was played ferociously and Somdev faced exit when he was down by 0-40 in the sixth game but restored all the three breakpoints. Meanwhile, Somdev succeeded in getting that subtle break in the ninth game and served out the set in the next. Proceeding with the impetus, Somdev broke Reid in the first game of the third set. The Indian saved a break opportunity in the subsequent game and soon he was up by 3-1. Somdev obtained a match point in the ninth game but did not waste that and also dropped his serve in the next game to allow Reid to score 5-5.
The Australian dominated in the next and Somdev was now serving to remain in the match. An incredible battle of fitness and nerves continued as they advanced to hold serve till 34th game. In fact, Somdev had break chances in 29th and 31st games but Reid returned to continue the battle.
