23 Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber, who is meeting Andreas Seppi of Italy in the opener. Kohlschreiber has been in great form this season and took out World No. 4 Novak Djokovic from the French Open draw. Later in Wimbledon, the German took a set off Roger Federer in the third round.

Somdev has had his best run on the Tour after a sensational start to his pro career when he entered the final at the Chennai Open in January. On the US hardcourt circuit, he entered third round at Legg Mason Classic in Washington and also qualified for the LA Open. Somdev's maiden stint in Grand Slam was in Wimbledon this year where he made it to the main draw with South African partner and good friend Kevin Anderson. They lost to Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the first round.

Somdev Friday began on a solid note winning the first set, gaining the decisive break of serve, in a little over half an hour. He was in control of the match with two early breaks in the second set and just when he was about to wrap up things the storm intervened. He completed the formality late Saturday night.

Sania Mirza is the only other Indian player in the singles and she plays Olga Govortsova of Belarus in the first round.