Somdev Devvarman qualifies for French Open

Somdev Devvarman qualifies for French Open

PARIS, May 21: Somdev Devvarman became the first Indian in 13 years to qualify for the men’s singles event of the French Open after scoring a 6-4, 6-1 win over Adrian Mannarino.

It took sixth seed Somdev one hour and 25 minutes to quell the challenge of his French rival in the third and final round and seal one of the 16 main draw spots up for grab.

Leander Paes was the last Indian to play in men’s singles event of the French Open in 1997 when he made the second round of the clay court Grand Slam.

This is for the second time that Somdev has qualified for the men’s singles of a Grand Slam tournament. He first played in a tennis Major at the US Open last year and had reached second round.

SA pip West Indies by a run

SA pip West Indies by a run

NORTH SOUND, May 21: Ryan McLaren kept his nerve in a tense final over to help South Africa formalise a one-run victory over West Indies, and sweep their two-match Twenty20 International series on Thursday.

McLaren fired in a low full toss very wide of off stump, as West Indies, chasing a modest victory target of 121, required three from the final delivery of the match.

But he conceded just one run, after South African point fielder Jean-Paul Duminy swooped on the ball, when West Indies tail-ender Jerome Taylor essayed a slog at it, and it trickled 15 yards away.

South Africa also won the opening match on Wednesday by 13 runs at the same venue to take a psychological boost into the five One-day Internationals between the two sides, which open on Saturday at the VRCG.

Newcomer David Miller had battled to the top score of 33 from 26 balls, and Johan Botha made 23 from 22 balls to add some respectability to the Proteas’ total of 120 for seven from their 20 overs.