The rain-interrupted reverse singles between Yuki Bhambri and Filip Krajinovic lasted barely 50 more minutes, perhaps less time than it would have taken for the majority of the sparse gathering to wade through Bangalore’s Monday morning traffic to reach the KSLTA stadium.
After Somdev Devvarman had pulled off a heist against World No 61 Dusan Lajovic,in a titanic struggle on Sunday night, all hopes hinged on Yuki who was trailing Filip Krajinovic 3-6, 4-4 in the second reverse singles when persistent rain on Sunday night had forced the postponement of the match.
Upon resumption at noon on Monday, the Indian fared no better than what he had during his first singles against Lajovic on Friday, crashing to a 3-6, 4-6, 4-6 defeat in two hours and six minutes. The result helped Serbia beat India 3-2 in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie, keeping them in the 16-nation World Group while India stayed in the Asia-Oceania Group I.
Yuki and Krajinovic have known each other since they were 14 years old and trained at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. They have had plenty of practice sessions with each other and have shared a common agent. While Yuki was a Junior World No 1 and a Junior Australian Open Champion, Krajinovic has made a rapid progress in recent years.
The yawning gap between their games was apparent with Krajinovic playing a precise and relentless tennis while Yuki drowning himself in a sea of unforced errors.
“The loss had a lot to do with making too many unforced errors and I wasn’t doing enough to stay in the points,” Yuki pointed out later. “I wanted to (stay in points) but I just couldn’t. I made perhaps as many errors as I have in my 10 years of tennis career.”
Quick break
Yuki had broken Krajinovic to level the second set score at 4-4 when heavy showers had halted the proceedings. On Monday, the Serbian second seed straightaway earned a break in the ninth game. Needing to stay in the set, Yuki did well to earn a break point at 30-40 but Krajinovic held on to the game to take the set.
The third set couldn’t have begun on a worse note for the 153-ranked Indian who was broken at love in the opening game. Yuki couldn’t make up for the deficit with his error-filled game helping Krajinovic wriggle out of every crunch situation.
“I had chances all week but I wasn’t been able to capitalise,” Yuki rued.
“Even in the third set he was down thrice (0-30 twice and 15-40 once) but I couldn’t make most of my opportunities. It’s very disappointing, especially after we had levelled the score.”
The break saw Krajinovic take a 3-1 lead and the Serbian had a chance to go up 4-1 when Yuki conceded two break points. Two backhand errors from Krajinovic, however, helped Yuki claw his way back and hold the game after three deuces.
Serving for the tie at 5-4, Krajinovic began with a double fault while a volley winner put Yuki 0-30 ahead. A forehand error gave Yuki two break points at 15-40. Krajinovic’s big serve came to his aid and he killed the contest with a passing forehand winner as his non-playing captain Bogdan Obradovic, team-mates and support staff set off in celebration.
Krajinovic admitted he was under pressure after the tie was levelled following Somdev’s win. “There was a lot of pressure going into the match because it was 2-2. It was a tough match both mentally and physically. It wasn’t easy as I was waiting all day (on Sunday). And also, it was my first match at 2-2 and it was an important match. I have been part of Davis Cup for a while but this was the biggest game I was playing. I couldn’t sleep the whole night as I kept thinking about the match. But I am happy and proud of my job,” he remarked.
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