A little distance away from the glittering show courts at Flushing Meadows on Monday, Indian tennis was throwing its own noisy little party. It began when Somdev Devvarman continued his run from the US Open qualifiers to the main draw second round, and ended well after Sania Mirza had wrapped up her three-set victory over Olga Govortsova.

India’s top-ranked men’s player had it all his own way in a 6-3 6-4 6-3 display over Portuguese Fredrico Gil, Sania didn’t let a troublesome wrist get in the way of a 6-2 3-6 6-3 win, and India, for the first time, had representation in the second rounds of both the men’s and women’s singles draws of a Grand Slam.

The supporters out on Court 15 played their part, and 24-year-old Devvarman didn’t disappoint, keeping the pressure on Gil through every point they played, and not letting breaks of serve turn into unmanageable situations. The Indian got a taste of the big league earlier this year, making it to the Chennai Open final and the quarters of an ATP event in Washington recently, but being on a stage of Grand Slam proportions is an entirely different feeling. “There were a lot of people in the stadium today and it was really bustling. The people got behind me and the atmosphere was great. It’s a good thing for Indian tennis too, and I hope this encourages many kids to pick up a racquet,” said Somdev.

There were moments when his serve was under pressure, finding himself a break down in the second and third sets, but Somdev finished the contest in straight sets to set up a meeting with in-form German Philipp Kohlschreiber. “I lost my serve early in the second and third sets, but I was able to raise the level of my game. I’m glad I could do the job in three sets. I served well on those close points and felt pretty good through the match because I was in control. Playing three rounds in the qualifiers kept me sharp,” he added.

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