Jubiliation in Indian sporting camp continue as Indian tennis team beat New Zealand with a 4-1 verdict in the Davis cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie in Pune Balewadi stadium assured its birth to the next round. Despite the doubles loss, Team India recovered to win reverse singles and make sure that they are the best in the homely conditions. Both Ramkumar Ramanathan and Yuki Bhambri had the measures of Kiwi singles players and made sure of their efforts on the first day did not go waste. Ramkumar won in straight sets and Bhambri made it easy with three set win in a dead rubber. In all, the Indian youngsters withstood the pressure of a Davis cup game very well. On the other hand, Leander Paes lost his doubles match in the company of Vishnu Vardhan. Paes revealed that age is catching up with him as he stood as a master of doubles in this format with his fine display of tennis with various partners for nearly two decades and still going strong. It is a matter game, set, match and the tie for Team India when Ramkumar outclassed his New Zealand opponent Finn Tearney in the first reverse singles. India beat Kiwi in style.
C.R. Krishnan
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