In many ways, the Davis Cup World Group Qualifier against Italy has been a reality check for Mahesh Bhupathi’s boys.
The gulf between the two countries stood exposed in no uncertain terms as India, despite raising hopes of a turnaround, lost 1-3 at the South Club on Saturday.
Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan provided the spark by overcoming Simone Bolelli and Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour 43 minutes, but Prajnesh Gunneswaran froze against world No. 37 Andreas Seppi to guarantee Italy’s place in the Finals in Madrid.
India gambled by playing on grass, but the Italians seemed to be at ease with the surface with every passing game.
“It’s frustrating for the whole team. All of us believed that we had a chance. For that we needed to win a point on Day I… We expected to win the doubles. It was a monumental task to come back from 0-2 down,” admitted Bhupathi. “We can’t expect miracles in sport. That’s not the way it works.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, the India non-playing captain’s remained hopeful.
Berrettini’s booming serves inspired Corrado Barazzutti to include him for the doubles, in place of Marco Cecchinato. The 22-year-old seemed right at home pounding off winners but the left-right Indian combination warded off the challenge by combining well at the net and forcing them into making unforced errors.
Bopanna was slightly slow off the blocks but Divij made up with good covering and volleys. The Indians came within sniffing distance of a break by forcing the fourth game to deuce, but Bolelli kept his nerves to hold serve.
The Indians looked in control for most part of the opening set but the Italians forced a break in the ninth game that proved to be detrimental. Bopanna first dumped Bolleli’s forehand into the net and then his wayward volley gave Italy the lead.
Despite losing the first set, the Indians were determined and positive in their intent. With the packed gathering urging the Indians to go for the kill, the visitors were feeling the pressure.
Divij’s returns were turning out to be increasingly menacing and his drop shot earned India their first breakpoint as Bolelli’s return found the net. Divij’s love-hold in the following game gave India a 4-1 lead.
The Indian pair then fended off a breakpoint on Bopanna’s serve to put them 5-2 ahead. More drama was in store as Divij then saved three break points to seal the set.
The Italians threatened to stage a comeback once Divij failed to hold his serve in the fourth game of the third set, soaring to a 3-1 lead. Berrettini’s return found the net in the very next game to put the two sides on level terms.
The Indians seemed unstoppable as Bolelli’s serve was broken in the ninth game to put India within sniffing distance of clinching the rubber. The final game was enthralling and exciting as Bopanna’s double fault and successive errors saw Italy claim a break point. But an ace and two fine serves put it beyond the Italians.
“We had good understanding and we kept fighting. Yes, there was pressure playing for India, but it felt normal having Rohan by my side. I really enjoy playing on grass. I just kept it simple without trying anything extra,” Divij said.
The Indians were hoping for a miracle but Seppi put Prajnesh in place with a 6-1, 6-4 demolition in 62 minutes.
