Yuki, Somdev turn it around

Christchurch, July 19

A fired-up Yuki Bhambri recorded his first ever victory in a live fifth rubber after Somdev Devvarman levelled the score as India advanced to the World Group Play-offs following a 3-2 win over New Zealand in the Asia/Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie here today.

Bhambri was authoritative in his 6-2 6-2 6-3 win over Michael Venus in the decider after Devvarman levelled the tie with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over Marcus Daniell in the first match of the day.

It was a do-or-die situation for India when Devvarman stepped onto the court and the country’s top singles player ensured that the visitors remained in the hunt.

Bhambri, who was playing only his second live fifth rubber, came out all guns blazing against Venus, who had stunned Devvarman in the first match of the tie. He had lost the deciding fifth rubber against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic in September in Bangalore last year. The 23-year-old Delhi player turned out to be India’s hero in this tie as he won both his matches. Bhambri stamped his class right from the start and did not face a break point till the sixth game of the third set.

He asserted himself by breaking Venus twice in each of the first two sets. It was in the sixth game of the third set that Venus threatened to break Bhambri but the Indian was up to the task.

Bhambri saved two more chances in the eighth game and finally converted his third match point to seal the tie for his side. India will now strive to make the World Group when they compete in the Play-offs in September.

Earlier, Devvarman delivered when it mattered the most, taming Daniell in two hours and 18 minutes to keep India afloat in the tie.

Daniell replaced Jose Statham, who was down with flu, but could not help his side seal the tie. Devvarman went about his business calmly and made a perfect start when he broke Daniell in the very first game. The advantage of that early break stayed with him throughout and he served out the set in the 10th.

Daniell kept fighting hard, saving two break chances in the third game of the second set, which was on serve till the eighth game. But Devvarman found a way to get that elusive break in the ninth game and converted his first set point in the next for a 2-0 lead.

The Kiwi saved two break points at the start of the third set. However, he double faulted when facing a break point in the fifth game. Devvarman, though, let slip the advantage by dropping his own serve in the next before cashing in on another break chance in the ninth game. It was a matter of holding serve in the next which Devvarman did to make it 2-2 for India. — PTI