Somdev aims to reach top 70 in two months

Singapore, Jan 30 (PTI) Indian tennis star SomdevDevraman''s top priority at the moment is to get back into thetop 100 in ATP rankings and then go for top 70 in the nextcouple of months.

"I had broken into the top 100 last year and out againthis year, hopefully I''ll be able to get back in and be moreconsistent, hopefully get into the 70''s and give myself a shotat playing in a lot more tournaments this year," Somdev, whosecurrent ranking is 108, said on the sidelines of the SingaporeChallenger here.

Somdev''s next stop is Johannesburg in South Africa wherehe reached the quarterfinals last year.

"I hope to reach the quarters here and probably dobetter," said Somdev.

On his plans ahead Somdev said, "I''ll be playing atJohannesburg and then another challenger here, and will thenstart preparations for the Davis Cup and play two challengersin March to try and get my rankings up."

Speaking on India''s chances at the Davis Cup againstSerbia in Serbia, Somdev said though it is a tough tie, hehas a gut feeling that India would do well.

"Bops and me played well the last tie and we have quite astrong team, with Lee and Hesh in doubles with a combinationlike this we always have chance, if we pull off a win on day 1we have a very good chance," said Somdev.

"I''m looking forward to the tie which may be playedeither on indoor hard surface or on clay," he added.

On his performance at the Singapore Challenger, where hewas a favorite for the title, he said that he was playingwell but was somewhat disturbed by rains, which altered theplaying schedule on a couple of occasions.

"I''m a professional an have to take it in my stride andcan''t complain, have to overcome such situations. It''s a goodlearning experience for me," he said.

"I was expected to do well but it was certainly not myday and I was sluggish on the court against Andrej Martin. Ididn''t utilize my strength, which is moving around," headmitted.