Somdev, Saketh fall at first hurdle in US Open Qualifiers

NEW YORK: Somdev Devvarman and Saketh Myneni could not cross even the first hurdle at the US Open Qualifiers as both the Indian Davis Cuppers lost their openers after winning first sets against their respective rivals, here.

Somdev, who has been struggling for a long time now on the Tour, lost 7-5 5-7 1-6 against the Slovakian 20th seed Nerbert Gombos.

Saketh also had a one-set advantage but ended up losing the first round contest 6-4 4-6 1-6 against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.

India still have two players striving to make the main draw with Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan.

Yuki is up against Japan's 23rd seed Yoshihito Nishioka while Ramkumar opens his campaign against Poland's Pedro Sousa.