India go down 2-1 to Serbia

Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna put up a brave performance but it wasn't good enough as India lost the doubles rubber to concede a 2-1 lead to defending champions Serbia in the Davis Cup World Group first round here on Saturday

Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna put up a brave performance but it wasn't good enough as India lost the doubles rubber to concede a 2-1 lead to defending champions Serbia in the Davis Cup World Group first round here on Saturday.

India's Rohan Bopanna (left) and Somdev Devvarman in action during the Davis Cup tie in Novi Sad on Saturday. PIC/AFP

Devvarman and Bopanna, filling in for multiple Grand Slam champions Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi who pulled out of the tie with injuries, went down 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-7 (12) to Ninad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac after three hours and 10 minutes.

In the reverse singles today, Devvarman will take on Serbia's number one player Viktor Troicki before Bopanna faces Janko Tipsarevic.

India's chances rest on Devvarman, their highest ranked player at 93. The Tripura-born lad stunned 45th-ranked Tipsarevic in straight sets in the opening singles on Friday.
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And Bopanna made a remarkable comeback after being two sets down before losing a thrilling five-setter against Troicki, ranked 18th.