The Davis Cup tie between New Zealand and India has gone down to a decider at Wilding Park in Christchurch.
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This was also Yuki’s second straight victory after he beat Jose Statham 6-2 6-1 6-3 in the second singles tie.
Victory pushes India into the world group play-offs, shattering New Zealand’s hopes of doing so for the first time since 1999.
The Kiwi players will look to match the efficiency of Sitak and Daniell, ranked 43rd and 66th in the world respectivley in doubles. He had misplaced the deciding fifth rubber towards Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic in September in Bangalore a yr in the past. Yesterday he made a statement after we were down 1-2, he said, ‘Now the match is 50-50, Som and Yuki have match in their hands.’ So it’s good vibes, good energy lot of self belief in each other.
It was in the third set that Venus threatened a bit when he had Bhambri down a break point in the sixth game but the Indian was up to the task and thwarted his rival’s attempts.
In the opening set, Yuki broke Statham, ranked 345th, in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead and consolidated his position with an easy hold in the next. The advantage of that early break stayed with him throughout and he served out the set in the 10th game.
The first two sets raced by 6-2 6-2 for the Indian while in the third set Venus had a break point to go ahead 4-2 set but couldn’t convert and then had two break point chances in to equalise at 4-4.
Somdev though let go the advantage by dropping his own in the next before cashing in on another chance in the ninth.
Venus found himself broken again in the first set as Bhambri put his foot down and extended his lead, rarely looking troubled.
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The fortunes changed dramatically for India as Somdev, who came into the tie after winning a Challenger title in USA, was firmly in control before losing his way.
