#4 Somdev beats Del Potro in a truncated match
The biggest noise that any Indian singles player made in the last five years was when then-India No. 1 Somdev Devvarman prevailed over the World No. 5 and former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in 2014. It was the first round of the ATP Dubai and Somdev was placed at 78th in the world rankings then.
Very much an underdog going into this encounter, the Indian had lost his only other showdown with the Argentine 4-6, 4-6.
Relentlessly attacking Del Potro’s weaker backhand wing, the Indian was successful in winning the first set tie-break, 7-6(3). The match, however, could not be continued further as the towering Argentine’s wrist injury had flared up and he was unfortunately forced to retire.
Irrespective of the circumstances, Somdev’s first-ever victory over a top-5 player was a reward for years of his perseverance and determination.
