India beat New Zealand 3-2 in Davis Cup

New Zealand squandered a 2-1 lead in the Asia Oceania group one rubber after losing both matches in straight sets against their highest-ranked Indian singles opponents.

Somdev Devvarman, who lost his first singles game on Friday in five sets, made amends in his second outing when he saw off Marcus Daniell 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 sending the tie into a decisive fifth and final match.

Yuki said he worked very hard before the tie, anticipating a tough outings in New Zealand.

Yuki had a date with his former doubles partner Michael Venus in the crucial deciding match. Daniell replaced Jose Statham, who was down with a flu, but could not help his side seal the tie.

But Devvarman’s error rate rose as Venus played his way into the match, spurred on by an enthusiastic crowd, eventually claiming victory after three hours 48 minutes.

New Zealand’s Marcus Daniell plaus a return during his defeat to India’s Somdev Devvarman in Christchurch.

India had advanced to the World Group Play-offs past year as well only to lose 2-3 to Serbia in September.

Bhambri stamped his class right from the start and did not face a single break point till the sixth game of the third set.

Venus found himself broken again in the first set as Bhambri put his foot down and extended his lead, rarely looking troubled.

Bopanna and Myneni had little opening to get a break through in the fourth game of the second set but squandered both the break chances.

Bhambri squandered his first match point firing a forehand into the net, and another went begging as Venus whizzed a backhand down the left sideline.

With the set tied at 4-4 in the third set, it was vital for Daniell to hold his serve if he was to keep the rubber alive.

It was a matter of holding serve in the next which Devvarman did to make it 2-2 for India.