Somdev Devvarman beat South Africa's Rik De Voest in 4 hr, 44 min to take India into the elite Davis Cup World Group after 11 years.

Bhagya L Ayyavoo

It was a match-up between two friends and playing partners, both eyeing one goal - a spot in the Davis Cup World Group. South Africa were well on their way to tying the matchup, as their top player served up his No.1 game in the first reverse singles rubber in Johannesburg on Sunday. Indian No.1 Somdev, ranked 133 to de Voest’s 189, was two sets down. After conceding the doubles rubber on Saturday, due to an injury to Mahesh Bhupathi, it was looking like another blow for Team India early on.

Long rallies, break points, deuces and a lot of hard work dominated Set 1, which went 6-3 to SA in 50 minutes. de Voest continued his momentum in Set 2 as well, racing to a 3-0 lead. However, Somdev put in a lot of heart with his deep rallies and passing shots to break back in the fifth game to get back on serve. The India No.1 finally managed to sneak ahead 6-5, breaking de Voest’s serve for the first time in the match. But de Voest, with some flashing forehands and booming backhand down-the-line shots levelled it 6-6. After gaining a mini break, de Voest took the tie-breaker 7-3. Set 2 lasted 76 minutes.  

But Set 3 was where the comeback started for the young Indian. This set also went the distance, and Somdev sealed the tie-breaker 7-5 and the set 7-6 in 57 minutes. The Indian ace admitted after the match that playing his friend made it hard for him to relax: “I think he had picked up more tips than I did. He made me look silly at the start. He started playing unbelievably. He was spot-on with his tactics. He was executing it really well, making life really hard for me.”  

Three hours into the game, this set gave Somdev a much-needed wake-up call. A new spring in Indian’s stride slowed down the South African. de Voest 's 21 unforced errors to Somdev's six separated the two in Set 4. With two breaks of serve, Somdev levelled the match score 2-2, pocketing Set 4, 6-2.

Suddenly, the momentum shifted towards India. With both players holding serve initially, the crucial break came in the fifth game with a lucky line-call, helping Somdev take a 3-2 lead in the decider. Serving at 5-4, 40-0, and with 3 match points, Somdev double-faulted. But the two-time NCAA collegiate champion did not make another mistake, guiding India into the 2010 World Groups Finals, taking Set 5, 6-4. India had last played in the 16-team World Group in 1998, when they lost 1-4 to Italy.

A relieved Somdev said: “I just kept looking at my bench, my teammates, they never lost hope in me. They just took me through this one. I really thank my whole team for supporting me the whole time. We have been working really hard to come up with a great team. I am just happy for the older guys. They have put in so much work into this. Giving us a shot at the World Group is definitely a good thing for us.”

For Somdev, it has been a dream run in Davis Cup this year, as he remained unbeaten in singles rubbers. This is also the first time in 19 years that India have had a Davis Cup triumph without notable contributions from either Leander Paes or Mahesh Bhupathi, and credit must go to the Guwahati-born lad.

India, no doubt, have a winner in their ranks, somebody who can take over the burden of leading the national team when Paes hangs up his boots. And the mantra to his success is much the same as Paes’.

Never say die!