Somdev Devvarman's fans may still be relishing his stunning victories over Carlos Moya and Ivo Karlovic but the new Indian tennis star has left behind those wins and is completely focused on the title clash of the Chennai Open against third seed Marin Cilic on Sunday.
Somdev reached his maiden ATP Tour event final after getting a walkover from fifth seeded German Rainer Schuettler in the semifinal on Saturday.
"I am focusing on tomorrow's final match and have forgotten about how I got there. What is important for me in tomorrow's match is that I want to focus on the right things and not focus on pressure or else.
"Cilic is playing fantastic tennis in this tournament. Obviously I have worked out that for me. I think I would have played an awesome tennis today too. I will surely be focused on how I can win my match tomorrow," Somdev said at the post-match press conference.
The 23-year-old Indian though was not happy with the way he entered the final.
"It is disappointing to come through like this. I was excited about playing the semi-final and a big crowd was already up there to shout for me.
"It is not going to boost my morale. Unfortunately he got hurt. He is a tremendous player," he said.
Denying that he was emotionally charged about tomorrow's final, the 23-year-old Indian said, "To be honest, I did not have too much time to think about it. I do not want to think too much about next day's match. I am going to put what has happened to me today behind me as well."
Somdev said that he came to play at Chennai Open without any expectations.
"I never had any expectations while coming in for this tournament. I was a wild card. It is obviously nice to be in a tournament final like this in India. A knock on wood ... (he hits the table) I do not cramp," he said.
The young Indian star also knows that after this phenomenal performance, every step of his will be scrutinised.
"I do have to work towards my perspective after this tournament. My work is not being closed before it is done."
Even after winning many admirers after playing before the home crowd, Somdev was not sure for how long he can play here in future. The Chennai Open will at least be organised for the next five years.
"Five years is a really long time. I do not want to think about five years. Hopefully I will be doing the right things and I am on track. I will take year by year and match by match," he said.
Somdev was also eyeing the main draw of Australian Open, where he will compete in the qualifying event.
"I am excited about my playing the qualifier in the Australian Open. Hopefully I'll win few matches and qualify for the main draw," he said.
On making adjustments to his game while playing on different courts, he said, "I did not really have much of a choice but adjust and adapt to the situations and make the most out of it. I still enjoy playing on clay today. I find myself very comfortable there."
