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Somdev Devvarman plays a shot during day one of the 2013 Malaysian Open at Putra Stadium on September 23, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Getty Images)
Somdev Devvarman suffered a disappointing straight sets first round loss at the hands of Matteo Viola it the ATP Malaysia Open. The Italian won 6-3, 6-3.
The Indian, who broke into the top-100 after nearly a two-year absence on account of injury and dip in form, paid the price for his inconsistent showing.
Somdev served well in the initial stages against the 140th ranked Italian as both players were determined to seize the initiative. Viola showed signs of gaining the upper hand when he breached Somdev’s serve in the sixth game to go up 4-2.
The Italian made the most of the break to hold a handy 5-2 lead before proceeding to close out the opening set at 6-3.
Somdev mounted a fight back, with panache at that, serving solidly and breaking Viola’s serve for the first time in the match in the second game to march ahead with a 3-0 cushion in the second set.
But the 26-year-old Italian hit back, breaking Somdev’s serve in the fifth game before holding his serve to level things up. He then broke the Indian’s serve in the seventh game to win four games on the trot for a 4-3 lead.
Viola soared in confidence and soon hastened the tournament exit of Somdev, pocketing the second set and the match at 6-3.
This was the third time they came head-to-head.
Somdev had got the better of Viola in the qualifying round of the 2013 French Open in straight sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Earlier this year, the Indian had lost to the Italian in straight sets 2-6, 2-6 in the qualifying round of the 2013 BNP Paribas Open.
Somdev had made it to the main draw after winning two qualifying rounds.
He defeated 491st ranked Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands 7-5, 7-5 in the second qualifying round.
The Indian crushed American Eric Butorac 6-1, 6-3 in the opening qualifying round match.
