London: Somdev Devvarman missed chances galore, including a match point, as he crashed out of the Wimbledon qualifiers after losing a gruelling and energy-sapping first round match against Australia’s Matt Reid, here on Monday.
Somdev, who is ranked 78 places above Reid at 135, frittered away a good start to lose 6-7 (4), 6-4, 16-18 in his opening round of the only Grand Slam played on grass of the season.
Somdev had a good lead in the first set and had a match point in the ninth game of the third set but allowed Reid to come back.
The two players fought tooth and nail in the 34-game third set and it was Reid who won the battle of nerves as he broke Somdev in the 34th game to move to second round.
Somdev’s defeat means that there will not be an Indians in the men’s singles at Wimbledon this year.
It was the first meeting between Somdev, who was seeded 22nd in the qualifiers, and the unseeded Reid.
Somdev had taken a 3-1 lead after an early break but dropped serve in the fifth game to allow the Australian to make it an even affair.
The second set was fiercely fought and Somdev faced the exit when he was down 0-40 in the sixth game, but saved all the three breakpoints.
Going with the momentum, Somdev broke Reid in the first game of the third set. He saved a break chance in the next game and soon was up 3-1.
Somdev had a match point in the ninth game but squandered that and also dropped his serve in the next game to make it 5-5.
The Australian held his own in the next and Somdev was now serving to stay in the match.
What followed next was an incredible battle of fitness and nerves as they went on to hold serve until the 34th game.
Somdev had break chances in 29th and 31st games but Reid came back to continue the battle. (PTI)