Paris, May 18: Somdev Devvarman rallied to overcome Czech Republic’s Jiri Vanek 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the men’s singles qualifiers at the French Open tennis here on Tuesday.
Somdev next plays 248th-ranked New Zealand’s Daniel King-Turner who dispatched Australian Chris Guccione 6-3, 6-3.
The 119th-ranked Somdev, who turned professional in 2008, is trying to make it to the main draw for the first time.
The 32-year-old Vanek is 111 rungs below Somdev but had a career-best ranking of 74th, in 2000. He also reached the second round here in 2000, 2006 and 2008.
The Indian struggled with his serve in the first set before taking control. The Czech took the advantage of the Indian’s floundering serve and with a double break he was a set up in 38 minutes.
But Somdev hit back to make it a set all. The Indian then with an early break in the third set closed the match in little over two hours.
The US-based Prakash Amritraj, ranked 270, faces 17th seed Brazilian Joao Souza in the first round.
French Open is from May 23-June 6.
—Agencies