A fired up Yuki Bhambri recorded his first-ever victory in a live fifth rubber after Somdev Devvarman levelled the scores as India advanced to World Group play-offs following a 3-2 win over New Zealand in the Asia/Oceania Group I second round Davis Cup tie here on Sunday.
New Zealand went into the final day with a 2-1 lead only to find itself totally outplayed, with the two reverse singles settled in straight sets.
Bhambri was authoritative in his 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 drubbing of Michael Venus in the decider after Devvarman levelled the tie with his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Marcus Daniell in the first match.
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It was a do-or-die situation for India when Devvarman stepped on the court and the country’s numero uno singles player ensured that India remained in the hunt.
Bhambri came out all guns blazing against Venus, who had stunned Devvarman in the first match of the tie.
The 23-year-old player turned out to be India’s hero in this tie as he won both his matches. He had lost the deciding fifth rubber against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic in September in Bangalore last year.
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Bhambri stamped his class right from the start and did not face a single break point till the sixth game of the third set.
Bhambri broke Venus twice in each of the first two sets, running away with a 2-0 lead.
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 opponent’s attempts.
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 it competes in the playoffs 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 of the opening set.
The advantage of that early break stayed with him throughout and he served out the set in the 10th. He thwarted Daniell’s attempt of a comeback by saving a break chance on his serve in the sixth game.
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 and converted his first set point in the next for a 2-0 lead in the crucial rubber.
The New Zealander was down by two break chances at the start of the third set but saved both. However, he double faulted when he was down by another break point in the fifth.
Devvarman though let slip the advantage by dropping his own serve in the next before cashing in on another chance in the ninth.
It was a matter of holding serve in the next which Devvarman did to make it 2-2 for India.
The results: New Zealand 2 lost to India 3 (Marcus Daniell lost to Somdev Devvarman 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; Michael Venus lost to Yuki Bhambri 6-2, 6-2, 6-3).