Bhupathi/Bopanna defeat Ito/Sugita to stay alive in tie – Davis Cup 2011 WG Play-offs: JPN vs IND
Indian tandem of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna defeated the Japanese duo of Tatsuma Ito and Yuichi Sugita in the doubles rubber of their tie in the 2011 Davis Cup World Group play-offs on Saturday, 17th September.
The Indians, previously trailing 0-2 in the tie, needed a little over three hours to secure a four set 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) win over the Japanese to reduce the tie deficit to 1-2.
Kicking off with the tie on Friday, Indians Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna had lost both of the singles rubbers in straight sets to Sugita and Kei Nishikori respectively. Fighting to stay alive in the tie, Bhupathi in the absence
of his partner and doubles specialist Leander Paes had to rise to the occasion to secure a doubles win. Paes had pulled himself out of the tie after suffering an injury during a doubles match in the 2011 US Open last week.
Following a successful opening of serve by the Japanese in the first set, the two teams locked horns in a neck-to-neck run, keeping the scoreboard tied at all times. Although at one point the Japanese were able to take the lead
upon converting a breakpoint opportunity, the Indians were quick to snatch back the break bringing the score to even terms. Cashing in on another chance in the eleventh game, the Indians catapulted into a 6-5 lead before serving out the set at 7-5.
A lead in the set score boosted the Indians’ confidence, though it was short-lived. Following another close run for the first six games, the Japanese were able to break the Indians in the eighth game before clinching a 6-3 set
victory, bringing the set score to even terms.
Determined to stay in the fight, Bhupathi unleashed the doubles expert in him,as he along with Bopanna reeled off the third and fourth set, 6-3 and 7-6(4) to seal their 3-1 sets victory in the rubber.
Requiring four sets, the Indians hit a resounding total of 15 aces and 57 winners along with only two double faults to clinch a total of 137 of 260 points to secure their victory over the Japanese. The Indians now stand a fighting
chance to reclaim the tie in the reverse singles rubbers, to be held on Sunday, 18th September.
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