Bopanna wins, Somdev loses

Rohan Bopanna erased a one-set deficit to upset world No 51 Jose Acasuso and advance to the second round of the Malaysian Open while compatriot Somdev Devvarman made an early exit from the Thailand Open, losing his first round.

Qualifier Bopanna battled past the Argentine 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in his opening round at the US $947,750 hardcourt event.

Bopanna, who is ranked as low as 447 in singles, will next take on fourth seed and world No 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

Bopanna improved upon his serve as the match progressed and broke Acasuso once in the second set to force the decider.

In the final set, the Indian Davis Cupper saved a breakpoint and converted his only chance to shock his opponent.

On Monday, wild cards Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-Ul-Haq

Qureshi shocked fourth seeds Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Australia's Paul Hanley 6-3, 6-4 in the first round.

In Bangkok, Somdev could not make the most of his wild card as he went down fighting against Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-7(7), 2-6 in the opening round of the US $608,500 hardcourt tournament.

Somdev had plenty of chances in the first set but could convert only one of four break-points. The second set saw him drop serve twice while his opponent saved a break-point to deny the Indian the chance of a comeback.