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Bopanna pleased with his performance

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Somdev Devvarman was the undisputed hero of the Indian Davis Cup triumph over South Africa in the World Group play-off tie in Johannesburg, but the 29-year-old Rohan Bopanna played a significant role in putting India 2-0 up on the opening day.

While the rest of the Indian team landed here in Delhi, Bopanna was in Paris on way to the 450,000 Euros ATP Tour event in Metz, France.

“Am playing doubles with Jarkko Nieminen,” said Bopanna, who was drawn to meet the top-seeded Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra of France in the first round.

Even as he heaped lavish praise on teammate Somdev for winning the marathon reverse singles in four hours and 44 minutes, against Rik De Voest, Bopanna tended to underplay his own performance.

“When South Africa was drawn, I was happy as I play well in high altitude, like in Bangalore. When it was decided indoors, I was more happy, as there would be no wind. The conditions were tailor-made to suit my style of play, as I hit flat. Maybe, nobody bothered as the focus was on Somdev,” said Bopanna. The only worry for Bopanna was to get ready for the tie, after the knee injury, and get some matches.

”I didn’t get many matches, particularly in singles. But when we landed in Johannesburg, I trained a lot with Somdev for three days, as we were the only two players who had reached first. We played a lot of sets and tie-breaks, for about three hours every day. It helped my game,” said Bopanna.

In fact, after losing in the qualifying round of the St. Remy Challenger in France, Bopanna stayed back, to have good training sessions with the players there before reaching Johannesburg.

Anxious moments

Bopanna conceded that it was tough, waiting for nearly hours without knowing whether he would have to play a ‘live’ fifth rubber. “I watched the first set and a half. Then, I was in the locker room where there was no TV. I was just hearing the scores being called. I watched the last set. Somdev is a team player. He is a great fighter,” said Bopanna.

It was a joy for the team to win all the four singles, perhaps for the first time at this level after many years.

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