Somdev qualifies for US Open main draw

India's singles star Somdev Devvarman battled his way into the US Open main draw after defeating Briton James Ward in a gruelling three-setter, here.
The sixth seeded Indian defeated his opponent 6-3 3-6 6-4 in the qualifying third round, which lasted after two hours and 15 minutes.
In the main draw, Somdev faces Slovakia's Lukas Lacko as his first round opponent. Lacko is placed 28 slots above Somdev in the ATP rankings at 85.
It will be first meeting between the two players. If Somdev could clear the first hurdle he may find world number 21 Andreas Seppi of Italy as his second round rival.

"Happy to be through to the main draw. So excited for next week!!," Somdev wrote on his twitter page after his match.
Somdev converted both his break chances and saved three o his serve to win the first set in just 38 minutes. However, Ward clawed his way back into the match when he broke Somdev twice in the second set.
Somdev too had his chances but squandered all four break points he had in the second set. In the fiercely fought decider, Somdev saved two break points and cashed in on two of the three chances to book a berth in the main draw.

In the first three Grand Slams of the season, Somdev reached second rounds of Australian Open and French Open while he bowed out in the Qualifiers at Wimbledon.