Bopanna says Devvarman's win in first singles took the pessureoff him and helped India make a perfect start to Davis cup tie in Johannesburg
Bopannau00a0says Devvarman'su00a0win in first singles took the pessureoff him and helped India make a perfect start to Davis cup tie in JohannesburgRohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman put India in sight of the Davis Cup World Group Finals winning the two opening singles in the play-off tie against South Africa at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena here yesterday.
Bopanna, who had failed to win a single match during India's 3-2 win against Chinese Taipei in the second round in February, pulled off a sensational win against South Africa No 1 Rik de Voest 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in little more than two hours to follow-up India's No 1 Somdev Devvarmam's clinical 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-4 win over Izak Van der Merwe.
Bopanna will partner Mahesh Bhupathi against Wesely Moodie and Jeff Coetzee to try and give India a World Group Finals berth in 11 years.
A relieved Bopanna said Somdev took the pressure off him by winning the first singles. "I was relaxed going into the match since Somdev won the first singles match. It eased the pressure on me. I am glad I was able to win it for India," Bopanna said.
"The high altitude conditions suited my game. I practiced at Bangalore for a week before coming here and I was comfortable playing here. In the first set I tried everything but De Voest was too good. After being 0-4, I decided to start afresh from the second set. I grew in confidence after I held the first game of the second set and after that I started playing well," he said.
In contrast, it was a fairly easy win for Devvarman. The 133rd-ranked Indian was favoured to win the match, having earlier beaten the 290th-ranked van der Merwe in straight sets at the Aptos challenger quarters in July. The Indian took two hours and 13 minutes to close out the match.
"It's all about preparation and giving your best shot in the match. I am happy to make a winning start for India. Van der Merwe can be a dangerous player if you give him confidence. It was huge for me to get on top of the tie-breaker and then keep up the pressure," said Devvarman.
