Bopanna, Somdev powers india to davis cup world group

Courtesy: Mid-Day

Chennai, September 19, 2010: A picture speaks a thousand words. One will never forget the image of Rohan Bopanna hoisted atop Leander Paes’ shoulders with the tricolour draped over him doing a victory lap after India had scripted their most famous come-from-behind wins in Davis Cup history and thus banishing Brazil to a 3-2 defeat in their World Group play-off tie here yesterday.

After going 0-2 down on Friday it was the old firm of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi who picked up the pieces with a stellar doubles victory on Saturday and the heroics in the reverse singles came yesterday.

The Indians prayed for the sun to come out in all its glory and their prayers were answered as the Brazilians Thomaz Bellucci wilted in the soaring temperatures against India No 1 Somdev Devvarman. Prophecies though, do come true. Paes had said on Saturday, "Bellucci was totally drained after his five-set win on Friday. I think we have the advantage as he will struggle with his fitness."

In the early going, Bellucci showed no signs of uneasiness as he drilled winners from the baseline. Somdev played the waiting game and picked up the momentum in the tie-break with raking groundstrokes. "I knew once the sun was shining brightly in the morning, it was going to be our day. I knew it would be tough for Bellucci especially after he went through five sets on the opening day. You are never prepared for something like a retirement. I’ll definitely savour this win as I have been on the wrong end of the stick in the past," said Somdev, who  prevailed 7-6 (2), 4-0 retired.

Rohan Bopanna knew it was a do-or-die rubber for him and the whole country’s expectations were on his shoulders. In the past, he has lost narrow deciding rubbers. But yesterday was a different story.

Bops appeared like he had another bout of nerves when he failed to convert three matchpoints when Mello served at 2-5 in the third. But Bopanna pounded big serves at 5-3 and sank on his back when he pushed a forehand volley into the open court.

Bopanna prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

"It’s a dream come true. I always wanted to win a tie for the country so, this win is extremely special. It is a fantastic feeling that India will stay in the World Group. "But credit to all the guys, Lee-Hesh who set the ball rolling with the doubles win on Saturday and Somdev getting the crucial point against Bellucci," an emotional Bopanna stressed.