Somdev to take on Lopez in Australian Open first round

Sydney: India's top singles tennis player Somdev Devvarman will take on 26th seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the first round of the Australian Open.

Somdev, who has failed to get past the second round in three attempts here is in World No.4 Andy Murray's half and could face the Briton if he manages to reach the third round.

The World No.90 lost to compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan in the first round of the Chennai Open before going down to Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in the ATP Apia International Qualifiers here.

If Somdev does manage to defeat his first round opponent, he would face the winner of the match between Michael Llodra of France and a qualifier.