By IANS
Johannesburg: India’s Somdev Devvarman defeated Rik De Voest 4-6, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a near five-hour slugfest in the first reverse singles Sunday to seal India’s place in the elite Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 1998.
India have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the tie. Junior Australian Open champion Yuki Bhambri will make his Davis Cup debut in the dead singles rubber next.
Somdev made a sensational comeback after losing the first two sets to turn the heat on South African No. 1 De Voest, who also happens to be the practise partner of the Indian.
India had taken a 2-0 lead with Somdev and Rohan Bopanna winning the two opening singles against Izak van Der Merwe and De Voest respectively Friday.
But the visitors had to concede the doubles match Saturday after Mahesh Bhupathi pulled his right groin. Mahesh and Bopanna were a set-all and 0-4 down in the third set against Wesley Moodie and Jeff Coetzee, when they decided to withdraw.