Janko Tipsarevic urges rising Indian star Somdev Devvarman to use his legs to attack more instead of wasting it in defence.

By Bhagya L Ayyavoo

Tennis is an attacking game. When you’re quick and strong on your legs, why be defensive? Be more offensive. 

That’s the advice the most stylish player on the ATP tour, Janko Tipsarevic, has given Somdev Devvarman. The world No.38, who has the game to be in the Top 20 pointed out, “Somdev’s biggest weapon is his legs and his forehand. Since I was pushing him from the start, he needed to raise his game to beat me. He needed to be more aggressive and he can’t achieve that just by running and grinding from the back. It’s not going to happen for him if he doesn’t attack.”

On Wednesday, the fourth-seeded Tipsarevic ended the India's singles campaign after thrashing Somdev 6-2, 6-1 to enter the quarterfinal of the Aircel Chennai Open. Serbia’s No.2 player, however, refused to admit that it was an easy win, “No, it was close, it wasn’t very easy. We played one and a half hours of long and tiring tennis. Neither me nor him served good. We were grinding and playing. I am happy that I managed to play inside the court, while Somdev was running left and right, two or three metres behind the baseline. And that was the idea I had from the start and even though I think he was much tougher than what looks on the scoreboard.”

The good-natured Serb sees Somdev as a top-100 player if he can change his approach, “If he wants to become a top player, he should use of his forehand more. He’s fast enough to defend very good. I think he should use his legs in an offensive way rather than being defensive.”

Meanwhile, Somdev blamed his loss on his serve, giving credit to the Serb for his supremacy, “I didn’t serve well. I couldn’t get my first serves in. But Janko played great. I didn’t really get any free points.”

Somdev, who is striving to shift gears, explained a better serve can make him a stronger force, “I am making some changes on my serve and my intentions are to get better. My ranking is going to be at some point in the Top 100 or at some point in the Top 50. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be playing here. I think I am going to get to one of that and I am going to get to that by playing in a certain way. That’s what I am trying to do and that’s what I am striving to do.”