Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand took a 2-1 lead in their Davis Cup tie against India with a comfortable doubles win on Saturday as India’s Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni struggled to return serves.
Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell’s 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 victory at the Christchurch courts put New Zealand into a strong position going into the reverse singles.
At stake for the winner will be a chance to enter September’s play-offs for a place in the 2016 World Group.
Sitak and Daniell were rarely troubled, despite being taken to a tie-break in the second set and needing four attempts at match point before getting across the line.
New Zealand’s Jose Statham plays Somdev Devvarman in the Sunday singles, while first-day winner Michael Venus faces Yuki Bhambri, with India’s Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj believing the tie will be decided in the final match.
India came to New Zealand with high expectations and Amritraj was disappointed with how the doubles went.
“I certainly didn’t expect it, especially not to go down in three sets. I thought it would be at least four or five and could have gone either way is what I felt before I came in,” he said.
“We had two break points and that’s not saying much. I thought our boys could have played better in the return department.”
But Amritraj said India were not out of the contest.
“Somdev can easily beat Statham, he’s beaten him twice before, and the last match is a toss up. We’re still very much in there.”
