Davis Cup: Yuki gives India 1-0 lead, Vishnu leading in incomplete match

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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. Let's see how it goes. We are still looking at Vishnu for the doubles but Sanam is also an option for us," Bal said.

I played terribly in second set: Yuki Bhambri

Yuki Bhambri said he played 'terribly' when he lost the second set 0-6 against Daniel King Turner during the first singles of the Davis Cup relegation play-off tie.

The 20-year old youngster, playing against a player who is placed 203 places below him at 382 in ATP rankings, had to dig deep into his resources for the five-set win.

"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 did not want to lose another set at love and that would have been very embarrassing. When you lose a set 0-6, it means you are not doing anything right. It's not the best tennis that I played. I wanted to win one game and gradually gained in confidence," he said at the press conference.

India coach Nandan Bal said Yuki's fitness stood him in good stead as showed amazing resilience in the match that lasted three hours and 15 minutes.

"We kept him hyderated. That was the key. A player can break tactically but if he break downs physically, then it's tough. He was incredible physically and showed a big heart," Bal said.

Turner said his performance dipped after suffering a strain in his left leg.

"I had a strain in my calf (left) and that affected. I felt it when I was coming on to the net. He (Yuki) started hitting ball very well," he said.

Kiwi skipper Marcel Vos said Turner's defeat from a winning position was, 'disappointing'.

"It is very unfortunate but we are looking forward to the matches ahaed."