Sept. 16: About the same time last year, Somdev Devvarman ended India’s 12-year wait in the Davis Cup, shouldering the country back into tennis’ elite. The 25-year-old showed tremendous grit in the team’s 4-1 win against South Africa at Johannesburg as India returned to the World Group for the first time since 1998.
Now, Somdev has another big responsibility of retaining the hard-earned top-flight status when India take on Brazil in the play-off here at the Nungambakkam Stadium from Friday.
Rohan Bopanna, who will be sharing the singles burden with Somdev, opens India’s campaign against Brazilian No.1 Thomaz Bellucci. The two players are meeting for the first time and Bellucci goes into the clash a clear favourite. The world No. 27, one of the hottest talents on the Tour, is ranked over 450 places above his opponent.
Bopanna, however, believes he can pull off an upset making full use of home advantage. The 30-year-old’s confidence stems from the fact that he is fresh from his stupendous run at the US Open doubles where he reached the final with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. If Bopanna fails to turn the tables on Bellucci, the pressure will be stacked on Somdev (world No. 113) in the second rubber when he takes on Ricardo Mello (world No. 75).
Somdev, though, sounded confident about his chances against Mello. “I have been playing some quality tennis in the last few weeks and had good preparation for the tie. Being counterpunchers, I think Mello and I have similar playing styles. It will be a game of few chances and the ones who takes them will come out as the winner,” said Somdev.
In the doubles on Saturday, Leander Paes, who is in his 21st year in Davis Cup, will team up with Mahesh Bhupathi against Melo and Bruno Soares for a crucial point.