Washington, Aug 4 - India's Somdev Devvarman is through to the second round in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, beating fellow qualifier Yuichi Sugita 6-0, 7-6 (6).

Qualifying for the second successive Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour event, Somdev breezed through the first set against the 255th-ranked Japanese Tour debutant, but encountered a tenacious Sugita in the second.

Sugita forced a tie-break which the Indian clinched 8-6 Monday.

Playing in a tough field, Somdev next takes on sixth-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic who got a first-round bye.

'I'm looking forward to play him (Cilic) again,' said Somdev, who lost to the Croat in the final of Chennai Open January.

Somdev has his best year ever in 2009. The Indian made the final in Chennai and he has been successful in a number of Challenger events. Somdev was ranked as high as 127 in the world back in July, but he has since slipped back to 153.

'I feel I am a better player than last year with more experience of playing under adversity. It's about going through the ups and downs and learning from that. '

'I think I am just physically a lot stronger. I'm playing higher percentage tennis. That is helping me make gains.