19 September,2015 10:25 AM IST | | PTI
Devvarman says it was one of the best serving days of his career after the 164-ranked Indian stuns World No 40 Jiri Vesley to level Davis Cup match 1-1 with Czech Republic
Somdev Devvarman is ecstatic after beating Czech Republic No 1 Jiri Vesley in a Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie at New Delhi yesterday
New Delhi: Somdev Devvarman on Friday said it was one of the best serving days of his career as he fired 20 aces in his winning effort against Czech number one Jiri Vesley to help India draw level 1-1 against top seeds Czech Republic in a Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie.
Somdev Devvarman is ecstatic after beating Czech Republic No 1 Jiri Vesley in a Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie at New Delhi yesterday. Pic/PTI
Somdev's biggest victory of the season could not have been timed better as India were in a spot after Yuki Bhambri's 2-6, 1-6, 5-7 loss against big-hitting Lukas Rosol, the World No 85.
Somdev, ranked 164th in the world, maintained his impeccable record on the DLTA courts with a 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-3 win over 40th-ranked Vesley in two hours and 40 minutes, yet again showing that ranking was a mere number in Davis Cup. He won 79 per cent of his first serve points, which was one of the key factors in yesterday's successful effort by Somdev.
"I was serving pretty well. It was one of the best serving days of my career. It was nice," said Somdev at the post-match press conference.
'Nervous to start'
"I am very happy with the way I played. I was obviously nervous to begin with. Little bit of the nerves eased because I knew I was not the favourite by any means and people did not expect me to win. So going in there with that kind of an attitude definitely helped me," he added.
The Indian said that the strategy to hold the Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie in Delhi payed off as the slower court helped him post an upset win over World No 40 Vesley.
"I think the conditions helped here. We came to Delhi knowing that it will help me and Yuki. Strategy we used in coming to Delhi, the slower courts of DLTA, worked for us today.
'Big hitters'
"Czechs are big guys with big servers and are big hitters. Knowing that and given the conditions here we made that decision. We are 1-1 and are in a good position today," said Somdev. However, Somdev insisted that India were still the underdogs. "We are still underdogs. They are favourites in every match, expect for the doubles.
Tomorrow we are the slight favourites. Other two matches on Sunday, they are again the favourites. But now the way both of us (me and Yuki) have played, we feel lot better about our chances and one match on one day, anything can happen," he said.
