Somdev win away from main draw

Devvarman had an easy time in the first set,but Sijsling fought back to win the second-set tie-break. The set the best of the match with no breaks of serve was replete with long rallies and Devvarman came up with some crisp volleying. The tie-breaker was furiously fought with neither player willing to concede any ground. One of the points was 21 strokes long and Devvarman was under immense pressure. The Indian saved five set points,but eventually had to give in.

Putting the second-set surrender behind him,Devvarman came back strongly to gain control of the decider early on and went through without any more trouble.

Sania to play Govortsova

SANIA Mirza,who made a brief return to India last week to treat her sore right wrist,will take on Olga Govortsova of Belarus in the first round of the US Open.

Govortsova is ranked No 64 in the world,and the head to head record between the players stands at 1-1. Sania had beaten Govortsova in a qualifying event in 2007 and the Belarussian settled the score with in Doha in 2008. If the world No 71 makes it past the Belarussian,she may be up against 10th seed Italian Flavia Pennetta in the second round.