Somdev Devvarman Wins NCAA Singles Championship
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May 28, 2007
ATHENS, Ga. – Cavalier junior Somdev Devvarman (Chennai, India) became the first men’s tennis player in ACC history to win an NCAA Singles Championship, downing Georgia’s John Isner in the final Monday night at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. In one of the most dramatic finals in the 123-year history of the tournament, Devvarman scored a 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (2) win over the tournament’s No. 1 seed.
“This championship feels so great,” Devvarman said. “It is a sign of the payoff of a lot of hard work. There are so many people I need to thank; my coaches, strength coaches, teammates, really everyone in the Virginia tennis community. I couldn’t have done this without their support.”
The first set was indicative of how close the match would be. Both second-seeded Devvarman and top-seeded Isner held in each of their six service games, with neither losing any more than two points in any game. With the first set on the line, Devvarman opened up an early 3-1 lead in the tiebreaker. Isner rallied to draw even, tying the breaker at 4-4. Devvarman won the next two points, to earn two set points. However, Isner would win the next three points to take a 7-6 lead and earn his own set point. Devvarman won the next two points on his serve to take an 8-7 lead for his third set point. Up 8-7, Devvarman took advantage of a second serve from Isner and hit a return winner past the Bulldog to take the opening set.
The second set began much like the first, with neither player in danger of losing his serve in the first six games. Serving at 3-3, Devvarman was broken by Isner, who took advantage of the first break point of the match to go up 4-3. The players held serve for the remainder of the set, as Isner forced a third and deciding set by taking the second, 6-4.
The final set featured more of the same from both players, as neither player could even force a deuce on the other’s serve. With the final set tied at 6-6, the national championship came down to a tiebreaker. At 1-1 in the tiebreaker, Devvarman made a difficult return of a big Isner serve that caught the Georgia player off guard as he returned it into the net. Devvarman used that momentum to win the next three points, to take a 5-1 lead at the changeover. After an Isner ace brought him to 5-2, Devvarman won the following point to give him four championship points at 6-2. On the first of those points, as he hit an ace up the middle to close out the 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (2) win.
“John and I have played so many times and they have all been battles,” Devvarman said. “I have so much respect for him, both his game and as a person. I know he will have a lot of success on the pro circuit. This was as close as it gets. I didn’t break him and he only broke me once. I was just able to make the plays in the tiebreakers.”
Isner, who led the Bulldogs to an undefeated season and the 2007 NCAA Championship, ends his career as Georgia’s all-time career wins leader.
“I knew coming in that this match would be a coin-flip,” said Isner. “I thought I played exceptionally well tonight but Somdev played just a little better. I will always remember this match even though I lost it. I played my heart out tonight. I didn’t get broken the whole match and usually when that happens, I win those matches. I have to give credit to Somdev because he really played a great match. I knew no matter what happened at the beginning of the tournament that I was going to end my career in Athens. Although I lost, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I hope everyone enjoyed this as much as I did. This whole tournament was pretty special.”
After falling to UCLA’s Benjamin Kohlloeffel in last year’s final, Devvarman became the first player to reach the final in consecutive years since Georgia’s Matias Boeker won the 2001 and 2002 singles titles.
“After coming so close last year makes this championship so sweet,” Devvarman said. “Last year, the draw opened up for me and I was able to take advantage. But it helped me realize that I could play with any college player. I went out and worked that much harder, and this season, the draw was much tougher, but I was able to elevate my game.”
“I am so proud of Somdev,” head coach Brian Boland said. “This was certainly one of the greatest championship matches in NCAA history. It is a shame that one of those players had to lose. They are both great competitors and great people. They are what college tennis is all about.”
The win was Devvarman’s 44th singles win of the season, extending his school record for wins in a season. The victory was also his career-high 16th consecutive win.
“It is amazing accomplishment,” Boland said. “You look at the factors; playing at Georgia, it being John’s final college match, playing the No. 1 seed. Somdev handled it so well. He embraced the crowd. He embraced the moment. He had fun out there and I think that allowed him to play at a higher level. He has really raised his game, not only over the past three years, but even in the last six months.”
Devvarman is one of ten players on this season’s Cavalier team with eligibility remaining for next year. This season, the Cavaliers went 30-4, reached the NCAA semifinals for the first time in school history and finished the year with a school record No. 2 final ranking.