At dusk yesterday, things were gloomier than normal for Indian tennis fans. Rohan Bopanna had fallen succumbing to Denis Istomin 4-6, 6-7 in the Chennai Open yesterday.

But in stepped Somdev Devvarman and lifted the spirits with an emphatic win over 6-3, 6-3 win over 117th-ranked Kevin Kim of the US. Somdev was only playing his second ATP match in India. He admitted that it had been playing on his mind before the tournament that he hadn't won in India. But he didn't let that affect him.

"I grew up playing tennis in this place since I was 11. I was in the stands when the Goldflake Open was held here for the first time. I cannot explain in words what it means to win here. Having finally won today, it's an incredible feeling," Somdev said.