Davis Cup: Somdev losses against Igor Kunitsyn, India down 2-0

India is playing against Russia in Moscow for the Davis Cup World Group finals event. Indian team includes Somdev Devvarman (ATP # 128), Rohan Boppana (ATP # 416), Sanam Singh, and the perennial doubles pair of Leaner Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. The first tie was supposed be contested between Indian #1 ranked Somdev and Igor Andreev (ATP # 38), however knee injury on Thursday ruled out Igor Andreev for the tie. Somdev played against ATP # 107 Igor Kunitsyn for the first tie and had good chance of getting first point for India. Initially he started well and won the first set 7-6 and was leading in the 2^nd set with 5-2 margin before Kunitsyn bounced back and leveled it by winning 7-6. Igor didn’t look back after that and won two consecutive sets 6-3, 6-4 and sealed the first tie for Russia. Somdev had good chance of putting India into lead in the absence of Andreev; however, Somdev was not able to take advantage of his chances. Rohan Boppana lost against Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. The next tie is doubles and India is favorite for the doubles as Leander and Mahesh are one of the top doubles pair in the world. However, trailing with 2-0, India's chances are almost nil unless some miracle happens. To win against Russia, India needs to win all the 3 remaining matches, which is highly unlikely. Russia was hot favorite against India, however, Indians had good opportunity as both Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev pulled out because of the Injuries.

Somdev stuns Chiudinelli enters 2nd round : Dubai Open

The Indian tennis ace Somdev defeated ATP 52 ranked M. Chiudinelli of Switzerland in the first round of Dubai Open 2010. Devvarman played impressive tennis and won the match in straight sets 6-4,7-5 in just 80 minutes. The Indian ace won 76% of the service points and played some impressive ground strokes. Somdev entered the tournament as qualifier and had played two games before the first round, the qualifying round provided good practice for the main draw. In 2nd round Somdev meets a ex top 10 ranked and 2006 Australian open runners-up Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus. Baghdatis is back after the long spell due to injury and is playing excellent tennis. Somdev needs to play is best tennis to win against the Cyprot who defeated 8th seed Simon Giles of France

Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhly reached to quarter-final at Dubai Open in doubles. Indo-Pak pair of Rohan Boppana and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi will play against Paes and Dlouhly if they win in pre-quarterfinal stage. 

After Dubai Open, Somdev will play in Davis Cup for India at Moscow against Russia.

Somdev puts India into Davis Cup World group

Somdev's second singles win against top seeded South African Rik de Voest with scoreline as 3-6, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-4 placed India into Davis Cup World group after 11 years. The marathon game lasted for almost 5 hours. Both the players started the first set nervously, the South African ranked at 189 was successful in breaking Somdev's serve in 5th game that gave him 3-2 lead, which he maintained by holding his serve and completed the set in 50 mintues with scoreline as 6-3. Nevertheless, Somdev was playing hard. The next set was closely fought as both the player held their respective serve. In the tie-breaker, somdev lost the set 7-3.

After loosing the first two sets, It was tough for the 133 ranked Indian as Rik was playing excellent serve and volley game. However, Somdev maintained his cool and continued his efforts. "I was down two sets. I kept looking at the bench. My teammates stood behind me and that gave me the confidence to fight back", Somdev quoted. The third set was tight for both the player as it went into tie-break. It was make or break for Somdev, he pulled the set with 7-5 scoreline in the tie-break. This gave him a chance and confidence to fight for another two set as Somdev was quoted saying "After I took the third set, I knew it was going to be a very tough but I had full confidence in my abilities and fitness." The next set was easy for Somdev as he broke Rik twice in 4th set to win it by 6-2 and Rik seems to be exhausted. In the fifth set Somdev Devvarman broke Rik's serve in the 5th game after the controversial line call, which went against the South African. Finally, Somdev sealed the victory with 6-4 scoreline and also place for India in Davis Cup World Group after 11 long year."It is a wonderful feeling to see India into the World Group" mentioned the elated Somdev.

Nevertheless, Somdev was full of praise of his oppenent,"He started playing unbelievable tennis. He was spot on with his tactics and was executing them really well. Rik is a great player and a great teammate. He was making me look silly at the start," he said.

With 3-1 lead, the next reverse singles is in-consequential. World's top Junior player Yuki Bhambri is going to play against 2nd seeded South African Izak van der Merwe.

Earlier, India conceded the doubles game as Mahesh Bhupathi was unable to continue the match because of the groin injury sustained during the 3rd set. India was down 6-3, 3-6, 4-0, when Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Boppana conceded the match.