By IANS
New Delhi : Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna expectedly put India 2-1 ahead in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie against Uzbekistan by beating Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov in the key doubles match at the R.K. Khanna Stadium here Saturday.
Bhupathi’s vast experience as a champion doubles player coupled with young Bopanna’s power-packed aggression proved too lethal as they easily outclassed the Uzbeks 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
The opening day’s singles on Friday were split as Bopanna beat Dustov and Istomin beat debutant Som Dev Varman.
As hinted by non-playing captain Leander Paes, it was Bopanna who came out to partner Bhupathi and not Prakash Amritraj as announced at the time of the draw.
If India had won both the singles then Prakash would have played the doubles, but at 1-1 Bopanan had to be drafted in as he and Bhupathi have better credentials as doubles players.
It was Bopanna’s second outing in the Davis Cup doubles with Bhupathi. The last time the two played was way back in 2003 in an away tie against the Netherlands, which the Indian pair lost.
However, this time, Bhupathi and Bopanna had packed too many guns for the Uzbeks and they were through in barely an hour and a half.
Surprisingly, 27-year-old Bopanna seemed to overshadow his illustrious teammate with his solid serve and delectable volleys. Bhupathi did not have to stretch himself much but was at his best at the net.
The portends were clear from the moment the Indians got their first service break in the first game of the match. Istomin, the highest ranked Uzbek player, was the weak link as the Indians broke his serve again in the ninth game to take the first set.
However, the Indians too had some scary moments, on Bhupathi’s serve in the eighth game, but managed to wriggle out with a good serve that gave Bopanna cjance to finish in style.
Down one set, the Uzbeks were gritty in the second, but their resistance fell apart in the eighth game as Istomin yet again failed to hold his serve.
A terrific Bopanna service return to Istomin’s feet gave the Indians a break point, but the blonde Uzbek came up with a good first serve to save the situation. But two unforced errors saw them lose the serve and then Bopanna served the set out.
Two sets down, the Uzbeks were a frustrated lot and they banged their racquets on the court in disgust. Surprisingly they could not adjust to the uneven bounce of the court even after playing in the singles.
Now it was a matter of time for the Indians in the third set and this time Dustov was broken in the fifth game as Bhupathi came up with a beautiful backhand.
There was still a sting in the tail as the Uzbeks had a chance of breaking Bopanna in the 10th game, but they could not cash in on three opportunities. As Istomin hit one long shot, it was match point for the Indians and Bopanna finished with an ace.
In fact, the Indian served so well that there were 10 aces, Bopanna firing eight of them, while the Uzbeks had seven aces.
Bhupathi later said the idea was to target the Uzbeks at the net was a conscious effort and they had worked the tactics the day before at their team meeting.
“Our strategy was to hold on to serve and target them at the net as they are not good volleyers. Getting a break early in the match helped and after that it was a case of holding on to our serve,” he said.
He also praised his younger partner for his solid display. “Bopanna is oozing with confidence. He is in great form and served big. My role was just to stay solid with him.”
With this victory, the hosts now have an advantage going into the last day.
On Sunday morning, Bopanna takes on Istomin and in an attempt to win the tie so that it does not go into a fifth match. However, if he loses, then Amritraj in all likelihood will have to play the last singles against Dustov and steer India to safety.