Twin tragedy for Bops-Devvarman

Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman squander winning opportunities to end up losing to the Brazilians in Davis Cup

It was a tale of two tragic five-set defeats for India on the opening day of their Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Brazil at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium yesterday. The losses hurt even more as both Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman squandered winning opportunities to lose agonising heartbreakers to Thomaz Bellucci and Ricardo Mello.

For the crowd it was a shattering day as they had to brave searing heat and intense humidity as they watched close to 9 and a half hours of 10 sets of gut-wrenching tennis.

Bopanna whose heroics with Aisam Qureshi at the US Open have become folklore here made all the right noises when asked when he would play doubles in the Davis Cup. "Leander and Mahesh are the best combination for India right now. They have won 23 consecutive Davis Cup matches, which is truly amazing. I will wait my turn and if I am asked to play doubles I will willingly do so,'' stressed the India No 2 Bopanna and added. "The Chennai crowd really lifted me, especially in the fourth set. Their constant cheering was just awesome.''

The lanky Coorgi who is ranked 450, pushed the World No 27 with his thunderous serves and scintillating volleys. "Lack of singles match play hurt me in the end, but full credit to Bellucci. He came up with some really big shots at crucial points,'' noted the 30-year-old.

All hopes were pinned on India No1 Somdev Devvarman in the second singles, but the crowd went home bitterly disappointed as their adopted son came up short.

"It is a really painful defeat. Full credit to Ricardo Mello. He pulled up his socks when the chips were down,'' Som said in an American twang.

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