Devvarman reaches final

It was several months back, when the Boar’s Head Sports Club first announced that it would be hosting a Pro Challenger Tour event, that former Virginia star Somdev Devvarman busted into a robot-themed techno dance.

Well, he didn’t do that — but he got really excited.

Devvarman’s thinking was that a return to Charlottesville to play as a professional in front of old friends and teammates would be one of the highlights of his young career.

After Saturday, Devvarman is now just win away from winning the inaugural Virginia National Bank Men’s Pro Championship.

Devvarman, ranked No. 121 in the world, defeated Ryan Sweeting 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to advance to this afternoon’s finals against Kevin Kim, who was a winner over Donald Young in the other semifinal.

“Every tournament, you want to do well in,” Devvarman said, “but here at home it’s been really special for me.

“Hopefully tomorrow, it will be nice and packed and I can come out with a win.”

The match was a lot closer than the score would indicate. Sweeting, ranked No. 141, bullied Devvarman from the baseline to take the second set. It seemed as if he had all the momentum heading into the third. However, Devvarman broke Sweeting in the second game with a looping topspin forehand pass.

In the next game, Devvarman quickly found himself down two break points, but then rallied for the hold.

Two games later, Devvarman showed off an improved serve, blasting two aces to take a 4-1 lead.

The Chennai, India native broke Sweeting at love the next game, frustrating him immensely in the process. Trailing 2-5, Sweeting was called for a foot fault and, for all intents and purposes, imploded.

“I think in the third set, my serve sort of went away from me, my legs went away,” Sweeting said. “He’s a tough player to stay with for three sets. He gets a lot of balls back ... his fitness is unbelievable.

“He’s one of the fastest guys on tour. When you think you hit a winner, the ball’s coming back. And mentally, he’s tough. He’s just a great competitor.”

Devvarman should have confidence today. He defeated the 87th-ranked Kim at his other hometown tournament, the Chennai Open, last January.

“It was completely different conditions — hot, outdoors, bouncy courts,” Devvarman said. “Here, it’s fast, indoors. It’s completely different conditions. But I’m looking forward to a good match.

“He’ll take the ball early and look to dictate, so the more I can keep him from doing that, the better it will be for me.

Most importantly, the main thing is for me to come out and take care of my serve.”

Devvarman’s match gets underway after the completion of the doubles final, which features former Virginia alums Dom Inglot and Rylan Rizza. Inglot and Rizza had never played together before this event.

“It’s been a really positive experience for them,” said Virginia coach Brian Boland. “I’m looking forward to seeing them play in their first final tomorrow.”

Boar’s Head Sports Club tournament director Ron Manilla said that plenty of tickets remain for both of tomorrow’s finals.

“They should both be really great matches,” Manilla said, “as the majority of the matches in the tournament have been.

“It’s a great chance to come out and see some of the best professionals in the world compete at an extremely high level.”