Christchurch: Yuki Bhambri helped the Indian tennis team to even the honours after compatriot Somdev Devvarman lost the opening rubber on the first day of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I second round clash against New Zealand here on Friday.

The 148th ranked Devvarman had a solid start as he won the opening two sets 6-4, 6-4 of the first singles match against 44th ranked Michael Venus. However, the 30-year-old Indian ran out of steam as he went on to lose the next three sets 3-6, 3-6, 1-6 to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.