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Somdev, Prakash out; Bopanna advances March 17, 2009 22:41 IST India's numero uno tennis player Somdev Devvarman [Images] and US-based Prakash Amritraj crashed out out in the opening round of theĀ $ 50,000 ATP Challenger, while compatriot Rohan Bopanna entered the second round of the hard court event in Bangkok on Tuesday. Eighth seed Somdev squandered a set lead to go down 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 against Martin Slanar of Austria, while Prakash was not match for Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France [Images], who beat the US-based Indian 3-6, 2-6. However, Bopanna, who made it to the main draw as a qualifier, salvaged some pride for India as he beat Rajeev Ram of US 6-3, 7-6(7) to set up a second round clash against another qualifier Noam Okun of Israel. Okum stunned sixth-seeded Michail Elgin of Russia [Images] 7-6 (7), 6-4 in the first round, according to information received. Meanwhile, in doubles, second-seeded pair Prakash and Ram defeated Thai wildcard duo of Siributwong and Peerakit Siributwong 6-4, 6-1 to book a place in the the quarter-finals.
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