Chennai, Jan 10 (IANS) India's Somdev Devvarman, having received a walk-over in the semi-finals Saturday, has said he will give it his best shot against third seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia in the final of the $450,000 ATP Chennai Open tennis Sunday.
'I don't want to get ahead of myself, but keep it simple. Cilic played fantastic tennis today (while beating Marcel Granollers). I watched a bit of the action and I expect a good match tomorrow. I will it my best shot,' said the 23-year old Devvarman, ranked 202.
His semi-final opponent, fifth seeded Rainer Schuettler of Germany, withdrew due to a wrist injury and Devvarman admitted that he was disappointed as he was looking forward to the match.
'You never take credit for a walk-over. I was looking forward to it (the semi-final). It (Schuettler's pull-out) was not in my control. Everyone knows that Schuettler is a tremendous competitor and obviously his injury is serious as he has pulled out of the Sydney event. I wish him the best,' said Devvarman.
Looking ahead to the final, he said: 'I going to forget how I got there (final). What is more important is for me to focus on the right things and keep my focus.'
While he became the first wild card entry to reach the Chennai Open final, Devvarman refused to get swayed by such statistics or sentiments.
'This is just one tournament and I don't want to complicate matters by thinking of all these things. I want to stay focused on the next match and that's the way I have gone about. Like my earlier wins, I want to put this (walk-over) behind me.
'I don't even want to think of other issues. I want to keep it simple. Things have gone my way here and as I said, I don't want to get ahead of myself,' he said.
Devvarman said he had not entertained any expectations coming into Chennai Open, but wanted to make the best of the situation.
'I didn't have any expectations coming in here. That's how I go about every tournament. I take one match at a time,' he said.
Devvarman welcomed an unscheduled day's break Saturday saying it will help him to take sufficient rest ahead of the final.
Cilic, who outclassed Granollers 6-4, 6-3, said he was pleased with his performance. 'I was feeling really good today and am happy with my overall game,' he said.
On the final against Devvarman, Cilic said it will be tough for both players.
'He is playing his first (ATP) final and the best tennis of his career. But he will be under pressure due to the expectations of the crowd. It will be difficult for me too because I know the crowd will be supporting him. I will try to stay calm,' said Cilic.
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