New Delhi: It was an unforgettable day for Indian tennis fans as the much fancied pair of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna lost their doubles tie to Adam Pavlasek and Radek Stepanek 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to give Czech Republic a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup World Group Play-off here at the RK Khanna Stadium on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Somdev Devvarman had brought cheers on Indian faces as he had outplayed World No. 40 Jiri Vesely 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 in India’s second tie of the Davis Cup World Group play-off against the Czech team after Yuki Bhambri had lost the first rubber against Lukas Rosol.
The defeat in doubles now leaves Somdev and Yuki with a daunting task as they have to win their respective reverse singles on Sunday if India are to re-enter the elite 16-nation World Group. Yuki will play on left-hander Jiri Vesley in the fourth rubber, while Somdev will take on Lukas Rosol in the fifth match.
