New Delhi: Somdev Devvarman’s love affair with the DLTA Centre Court continued as he drew level India’s Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie against Czech Republic 1-1 with an upset win over Jiri Vesley after Yuki Bhambri’s tame defeat in the opening singles, here on Friday.
Somdev’s biggest victory of the season could not have been timed better as India were in a spot after Yuki’s 2-6 1-6 5-7 defeat against big-hitting Lukas Rosol, the world number 85.
Somdev came out and maintained his impeccable record at DLTA with a 7-6 (3) 6-4 6-3 win over world number 40 Jiri Vesley, yet again showing that ranking was just a mere number in Davis Cup matches.
In a complete contrast to the first match in which the first set was over in just 24 minutes, Somdev and Vesley fought a battle of attrition. 27 minutes into the match the score was 2-1 on serve as a baseline slugfest was on.
There were seven break chances in those three games – four for Somdev, but no player could convert. The Indian raised the level of his game by several notches as he sprayed winners – a staggering 32 – all over the court and hit 11 aces in the first set. The serve was not fierce but Somdev found the perfect angles to keep the ball out of Vesley’s reach.
After playing five deuce points and saving a break chance in the ninth game, Somdev wriggled out of that tough contest with his 18th ace. Vesley was serving to stay in the set, saved two set points but double faulted on third to hand Somdev a 2-0 lead.
Vesley hit a forehand to net on second match point and Somdev threw his racquet in the air out of jubilation.
Earlier, world number 85 Rosol stamped his class as he thrashed 125th ranked Yuki 6-2 6-1 7-5 in one hour and 55 minutes.
Rosol hit 50 winners to Yuki’s 21 and made for his six double faults with his huge game.
Rosol hit a forehand winner on Yuki’s serve at 30-30 to earn the first breakpoint of the match and the Indian youngster buried his forehand on the net on that point to hand the rival team the lead. Rosol kept serving big and consolidated the lead with solid hold yet again.
Having Rosol down 0-40 was the best chance for Yuki to put pressure and get a break but he squandered all five chances. Serving to stay in the match, he buried a backhand to net to give the Czech two match points and then hit a forehand on the net to give the visiting team a 1-0 lead. (PTI)
