Somdev Devvarman played one of the finest matches of his career to beat World No.40 Jiri Vesely 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-3 and put India on a par with three-time champion the Czech Republic on the opening day of the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie at the RK Khanna Stadium here on Friday.
It was a shot in the arm for the Indian camp after Yuki Bhambri was outplayed 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 by the razor-sharp Lukas Rosol in the opening match.
The onus will now be on Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna to strengthen India’s hold over the tie on Saturday against Radek Stepanek and rookie Adam Pavlasek, though the Czechs may consider replacing the latter for the crucial doubles.
With the first two games spanning about 20 minutes, it was clear that the 30-year-old Devvarman had snared the tall and strongly-built Vesely in his web right at the start.
The 22-year-old Czech left-hander managed to save four break-points in the first game, and Devvarman saved two to hold serve in the second.
That set the tempo for the match, and Vesely already looked physically drained midway through the first set even though the conditions were not as tough as they could have been, with cloud cover and a cool breeze wafting across the stadium.
“I was aware that he wanted to get out of the rallies. The first two games were so physical. I knew I was doing right even though he came good on the breakpoints,” said Devvarman after victory.
Vesely served well but once Devvarman started getting down for the low pick-ups, running down the drop shots and countering them with craft, and playing some loopy drives, it was evident that the Czech was going to be pushed around the court.
Devvarman played a very solid tie-break and found himself with four set-points when the Czech delivered a double-fault, and closed it out without fuss.
Devvarman did drop serve in the first game of the second set but broke back in the sixth, and, most importantly, held serve after a long-drawn ninth game to go up 5-4.
Once he took the second set by breaking Vesely in the tenth game on the fourth break-point, Devvarman stepped it up and cruised to a smooth finish.
“Even when I was down a break in the second set, it did not bother me. The players on the sidelines gave me some tips about what was happening. They had good advice,” said Devvarman.
“That ninth game was huge. I was happy to get that game.”
He broke Vesely in the fourth game of the third set, and went on to serve out the match. After converting his second match-point, he threw his racquet high into the air in celebration.
Vesely said he realised something was wrong with his fitness three or four games into the match. However, he was gracious in conceding that Devvarman had played well, particularly with strong defence and moving him around the court. “I was mentally ready, but physically not good. I am disappointed, but have to move on. Today was not my day. I took all the responsibility on myself as the No.1. Anyway, what has happened is history now. I need to work a lot and try to be ready for Sunday,” he said.
Bhambri had his chances against Rosol who hammered 50 winners apart from 11 aces. The latter converted seven of 14 breakpoints to control the match, while Bhambri could convert only one of eight.
“I started playing well in the third set, but could not grab my chances,” said Bhambri.
Bhambri did have him at 3-1 in the third set but dropped serve in the sixth game, and missed as many as five break-points in the11th game.
“Yuki looked great, especially at 5-5 with the opponent down 0-40. If he had won that game, the whole match could have changed. He was physically fine,” said Devvarman.
“Anyway, we are in a good position at 1-1.”
For sure, Rosol was a class act, with his thundering returns and quick feet.
It should be no surprise if he walks out for the doubles on Saturday with Stepanek, though the Czechs would ideally like to preserve him for the fifth rubber.
The results:
India 1 Czech Republic 1 [Yuki Bhambri lost to Lukas Rosol 6-2, 6-1, 7-5; Somdev Devvarman bt Jiri Vesely 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-3].
