Somdev lose to Garcia-Lopez in US Men`s Clay court tourney

Houston: India`s Somdev Devvarman failed to reach the quarterfinal of the US Men`s Clay Court Championship here after losing to third-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 4-6, 1-6.

Having had a good run in the hardcourt events at Indian Wells and Miami, Somdev registered a solid opening round victory over American Robert Kendrick but the clay-court specialist Garcia-Lopez proved too strong for him. The third-seeded and world number 26 Garcia-Lopez, who got a bye in his first round of the USD 442,500 ATP event, overcame five double-faults before getting the better of the Indian in one hour and 27 minutes and book a berth in the last eight stage. The Spaniard started on a positive note, breaking Somdev`s serve in the fourth game to lead the first set 4-1. Somdev, though broke back immediately but eventually lost control in the tenth game and lost the set 4-6. The second set turned out to be simply a lop-sided affair as Garcia-Lopez stole a series of games to complete set up the quarterfinal clash against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay. PTI