CHENNAI: Sunday afternoon at the SDAT Stadium was all about non-stop celebration as India — up against a 0-2 deficit versus Brazil on Friday — scripted a memorable 3-2 win to ensure a berth in the Davis Cup World Group. This is the first time India has come back from 0-2 to clinch a tie. The last time India played in Chennai — against Australia in 1979 — the team recovered from 0-2 to draw level, but ended up losing 2-3. This time, there was no heartbreak in the script.
Regrouping and recovering admirably after losing both five-set singles on the opening day, India won the doubles on Saturday thanks to a clinical performance by the ‘Indian Express’ duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. And in a fairytale finish on Sunday, first Somdev Devvarman, leading 7-6 (3), 4-0, had his opponent Thomaz Bellucci conceding the match after feeling ill, and then Rohan Bopanna tamed Ricardo Mello 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 to clinch the tie.
It was on Somdev’s suggestion that the AITA staged the tie in Chennai and the Indians clearly adapted to the hot, humid conditions better. “We deserve to be where we are (World Group),” said Paes.