Top seed Devvarman cruises through

Indian top-seed Somdev Devvarman recovers from slow start to reach the last-16 at the Commonwealth Games.

NEW DEHLI: Indian top-seed Somdev Devvarman recovered from a slow start to reach the last-16 at the Commonwealth Games.

The former US college star, currently ranked world number 100, fell behind 3-0 to Devin Mullings of Bahamas before he found his range and hit back to win 6-4, 6-2. Devverman will take on Amresh Jayawickrene of Sri Lanka for a place in the last-eight.

“It was a slow start, it wasn’t great. Devin Mullings played some good tennis,” said Devverman. “It’s a great opportunity to represent India and I’m embracing it. I’m glad that people are following tennis and I think I have a good chance of winning.”

Also through was third-seed Australian Matt Ebden who defeated Patrick Ogier of Guernsey 6-3, 6-2 and will take on Pakistan tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi.

Andy’s advice from China

World number four Andy Murray’s elder brother Jamie won his first singles match for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi beating Bahamas’ Rodney Carey 6-2, 7-5.

Andy had earlier said the hot weather in India and Jamie’s lack of singles match play could be significant factors in hampering his play. Jamie, 24, has long been in the shadow of his younger sibling, but he will have three chances to strike gold in India as he competes in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2010.