Yuki Bhambri rescued India with an impressive win after Somdev Devvarman’s (in picture, right) shock defeat, leaving the visitors locked 1-1 with New Zealand on day one of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I tie.
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The New Zealand Davis Cup tennis side have fallen just short of a historic win against India in Christchurch today.
Earlier on Sunday, Indian No. 1 Somdev Devvarman was nearly as dominant in beating Marcus Daniell 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Yuki had a date with his former doubles partner Michael Venus in the crucial deciding match. Somdev was supposed to face Jose Statham in the match but Jose was replaced by Marcus Daniell.
The fortunes changed dramatically for India as Somdev, who came into The tie after winning a Challenger title in United States of America, was firmly in control before losing his way.
India had advanced to the World Group Play-offs a year ago as well only to lose 2-3 to Serbia 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.
The second set saw the Indian once again take the upper hand as he won 72% of his first service points and also all of his second serves inside.
Devvarman’s 13th victory in the tournament levelled the contest at 2-all as it all boiled down to the fifth and final rubber between Bhambri and Venus.
Venus’ serve let him down badly, and it was a double fault that opened the door for Bhambri to grab a 5-2 lead in a mirror image of the first set.
Daniell kept fighting hard, saving two break chances in the third game of the second set, which was on serve till eighth game. However, Yuki yet again found a way to get a break and created a lead of 4-2, following a break in the sixth game.
“We had two break points and that s not saying much”.
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It was a matter of holding serve in the next which Somdev did to make it 2-2 for India.
