Yuki wins to give India lead in Davis Cup
15 Sep 2012 3:05 AM GMT
It turned out to be a tough day for the Indian youngsters against New Zealand as Yuki Bhambri endured a five-set grind to provide the home team with a 1-0 lead while Vishnu Vardhan led his rival by two sets to one when bad light stopped play in the Davis Cup tie on Friday .
Vishnu was leading 6-2 6-7(5) 6-4 in the second singles against Kiwi No 1 Jose Statham when the latter raised concerns about fading light.
The second rubber will be completed on Saturday, before the doubles and if Vishnu manages to wrap it up in the fourth set, he will play in the doubles as well.
In case, the match is stretched to the fifth set, Sanam Singh is likely to replace Vishnu in the doubles match of the Asia-Oceania Group I relegation play-off tie.
Yuki Bhambri was staring at a humiliating defeat after losing the first two sets but regrouped for a 3-6, 0-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win against Daniel King Turner in the opening singles.
It was for the first time that Yuki played a five-setter, which lasted three hours and 15 minutes. The Indian youngsters started as favourites but it was no stroll in the park for them and the Kiwi players deserve kudos for stretching their higher-ranked rivals to limits.
‘It was not the kind of tennis I like to play but I am glad I pulled it off,’ Yuki said after the match. ‘I played terribly to lose the second set 0-6 but the team kept supporting me. I wanted to win one game and gradually gained in confidence.’ India coach Nandan Bal said he is aware of the fact that the boys will have to work hard.
‘We were expecting a tough day. We are still looking at Vishnu for the doubles but Sanam is also an option.’
Vishnu was leading 6-2 6-7(5) 6-4 in the second singles against Kiwi No 1 Jose Statham when the latter raised concerns about fading light.
The second rubber will be completed on Saturday, before the doubles and if Vishnu manages to wrap it up in the fourth set, he will play in the doubles as well.
In case, the match is stretched to the fifth set, Sanam Singh is likely to replace Vishnu in the doubles match of the Asia-Oceania Group I relegation play-off tie.
Yuki Bhambri was staring at a humiliating defeat after losing the first two sets but regrouped for a 3-6, 0-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win against Daniel King Turner in the opening singles.
It was for the first time that Yuki played a five-setter, which lasted three hours and 15 minutes. The Indian youngsters started as favourites but it was no stroll in the park for them and the Kiwi players deserve kudos for stretching their higher-ranked rivals to limits.
‘It was not the kind of tennis I like to play but I am glad I pulled it off,’ Yuki said after the match. ‘I played terribly to lose the second set 0-6 but the team kept supporting me. I wanted to win one game and gradually gained in confidence.’ India coach Nandan Bal said he is aware of the fact that the boys will have to work hard.
‘We were expecting a tough day. We are still looking at Vishnu for the doubles but Sanam is also an option.’
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