In the first reverse singles, Somdev Devvarman, leading 7-6
(3), 4-0, benefitted when Thomaz Bellucci conceded after falling ill and then
Rohan Bopanna tamed Ricardo Mello 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3, to clinch the tie for
India.
The oppressive heat and humidity finally got to the
Brazilians, who were sitting pretty at 2-0 after winning the opening singles
Friday, but lost the doubles to the top Indian combination of Leander Paes and
Mahesh Bhupathi Saturday.
It was the first time that India have come back from a 0-2
deficit to clinch a tie and much of the credit should go to the Paes-Bhupathi
tandem that won their 24th consecutive Davis Cup doubles tie.
“We are back to where we belong,” was how Bhupathi put the
victory in perspective. “To come back after losing both matches on the first
day is fantastic.”
When the 30-year old Bopanna, ranked 479, won the final
point of the two-hour match against the higher ranked Mello, it triggered huge
celebrations both on court and in the stands.
Bopanna was mobbed by his teammates who raced on to the
court while the spectators cheered and danced in joy in sharp contrast to the
Brazilian bench that presented a forlorn picture after their challenge melted
in the oppressive weather.
Overall, the Indians adapted to the conditions far better
and their choice of venue and surface stood vindicated while the Brazilians,
for all their pre-match optimism, just could not cope with the weather.
“The heat and humidity was good for me and Bops (Bopanna).
It didn’t hurt us, but it helped us. I stand by my decision and it was a good
call,” Somdev said.
Brazil team captain Joao Zwetsch said he was obviously
disappointed that they lost after leading 2-0 and that the weather conditions
did affect his players.
“It’s always disappointing to lose after leading 2-0, but I
am proud the way our boys played. It is the end of the year and the boys are
tired. The heat and the time difference made it difficult for us,” he said.
Bopanna, although not serving as well he would have liked
to, still outplayed Mello for the best part of the three sets by firing more
winners and being more composed despite the pressure he was under after Somdev’s
victory left India’s hopes in his hands.
“I just went out there thinking positive and played freely.
My captain (Shiv Prakash Misra) told me to focus on my serves and be
aggressive. That's precisely what I did. Of course, the encouragement I
received from my teammates did help,” said Bopanna.
On the other hand, the 29-year-old 75th-ranked Mello put on
a game show, but it was obvious that the heat was getting to him. Towards the
end, he appeared flatfooted and on occasions, did not bother to chase balls,
like he did Friday when he beat Devvarman.
Bopanna, thus, more than compensated for the loss to
Bellucci in Friday’s opening singles when he lost while leading 5-2 in the
fifth set.
The Bangalorean, who last week reached the men's doubles
final at the US Open along with Pakistan’s Aisam Qureshi, won the first and
third sets on service breaks in the fourth game.
Mello did his best to save the situation and his best
moments were in the second set when he held breakpoints, but could not convert
them.
“The turning point was in the second set when I led 5-4 and
was up 40-30 on Bopanna’s serve, but I failed to convert. It became 2-0 instead
of 1-1,” Mello recalled.
The loss in the tie-break effectively snuffed out Mello's
challenge as Bopanna consolidated his position in the third with an early break
before coming through in a canter. He even had time to smile once he realized
that his opponent had all but given up.
Earlier, Somdev looked the better player though he blew a
few breakpoints and the first set spilled into a tie-break.
“My strategy was to move him around and not allow him to
push me. It was more about attitude, really. I had recovered well from my
Friday’s five-set match and was prepared for today's match,” said Somdev.
Bellucci, looking pale and weak, said he fell ill in the tie
break. “I was tired after Friday’s match but had recovered. In the tie-break, I
felt ill and could not continue in the second set,” he said.
