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Davis Cup: India lead South Africa 2-0

Twin victories by Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna put India in a commanding position in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against South Africa on Friday.

Somdev put India ahead by overwhelming Izak Van der Merwe 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in the first singles and then Bopanna staged a stunning comeback to upset Rik De Voest 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the second rubber at Ellis park indoor arena. A win in Saturday’s doubles rubber will clear India’s entry into the World Group after 11 years.

Bopanna refused to throw in towel even after receiving a ruthless drubbing in the first set and turned the tables on his higher ranked opponent, who is placed 99 rungs above him at 189 in the ATP chart. Bopanna was struggling to get on the board initially but raised his game by several notches as the match progressed. Like Somdev, Bopanna too took a while to get into rhythm. He never looked back after breaking Rik, South Africa’s number one player in the tie, in the fifth game of the second set.

Earlier, coming into the tie after his breakthrough performance at the US Open, the 133rd ranked Somdev played with maturity and took two hours and 10 minutes to dispatch his opponent. Somdev faced just one breakpoint and mostly played from the baseline. Merwe displayed an excellent serve and volley game but unforced errors dented his chances.

Bopanna and Bhupathi will take on Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie in the doubles rubber on Saturday.

Tags: Davis Cup, India, South Africa