#5. 2015 Davis Cup- World Group Play-Offs
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This time, India were seeded second in the Asia/Oceania Group-1 and were given a bye to the second round where they would face New Zealand whom they had beaten 5-0 three years back. However, this time New Zealand drew first blood as Somdev Devvarman squandered a two-set lead to lose against 27-year old Michael Venus.
However, Yuki Bhambri who had flopped in the deciding match of last year’s World Group Play-Off against Serbia levelled the scores for India by beating Jose Statham in straight sets before New Zealand restored the lead through the victory of the doubles duo of Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak over the Indian duo of Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni. Somdev Devvarman then made amends for his mistakes in the opening match by beating Marcus Daniell in straight sets to keep India’s hopes alive.
Once again, India’s hopes rested on the shoulders if Yuki Bhambri who didn’t disappoint this time as he beat Michael Venus in straight sets to seal the victory for India and confirm their passage to the World Group Play-Offs.In the World Group Play-Offs, India were drawn against the Czech Republic team consisting of the experienced Radek Stepanek alongside Lukas Rosol, Jiri Vesely and Adam Pavlasek. Rosol, who had shocked Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Wimbledon three years ago gave the perfect start to the Czechs as he defeated Yuki Bhambri in straight sets. However, Somdev Devvarman levelled things up for India as he beat Jiri Vesely in straight sets.
However, the Czechs seemed too hot for the Indians to handle as the doubles duo of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna were beaten by the duo of Radek Stepanek and Adam Pavlasek before Vesely put paid to India’s hopes by beating Yuki Bhambri in straight sets. The Czechs progressed to the World Group of the 2016 Davis Cup where they were beaten by the playing semi-finalists France 3-1.
