Kolkata: Back to his rhythm after a career threatening shoulder surgery in 2012, India number one Somdev Devvarman, who made a successive ATP Challenger semifinals, said he needs to be more consistent.
"It`s very important to play good tennis. If you are making semis in Challengers it means you are okay. The exciting part here is that I feel I can still play a lot better. Hopefully that happens in the next couple of days," Somdev said after defeating Spaniard Adrian Menendez-Maceiras 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the quarters.
"Obviously it`s always good to win a match, especially in the quarters of a Challengers. Played good tennis after the first set today. It`s good to be through," he said.
Second seed Somdev lost the first set only to bounce back in style to set up a semifinal showdown against third seed Evgeny Donskoy of Russia.
"Honestly it was a bad start. The first game was really loose and the 4-4 game was really loose. I had two bad games really. At this level other players are good players. You give them two free games and you are in a down fight.
"In the second set I cleaned up my act a lot. Started serving a little better. I don`t think I faced break points after the first set... I felt I was backing it up well off the ground and playing smart tennis. I`m happy to be through," Somdev who turned 29 today said.
Having beaten the Russian in a tough battle in Miami last year, Somdev feels to win once more to make the final.
"We had an absolute battle in Miami. He was in top 100 a few times. He`s a very good player and coming back now. It`s going to be a good match.
"I feel like I`ve been working very hard. Slowly things have started going my way. Hopefully I can get away tomorrow by playing better.
"I would like to take one match at a time. I`ve a tough match coming up. I`ve to play well to win tomorrow," he said.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 13, 2014, 20:23
