Johannesburg:
India's Davis Cup captain S P Misra asserts that his team is disappointed but not rattled by defeat in the doubles rubber on Saturday and his boys are in 'great spirit' ahead of the tie-deciding reverse singles.
India conceded the doubles rubber after Mahesh Bhupathi suffered a groin injury during the start of the third set and retired.
"It's a pity, nobody likes to give away Live Davis Cup match. So it was disappointing for everyone. He (Bhupathi) went for a high backhand volley and suffered the right groin injury. It's same he suffered last year in May as well," Misra said.
"He could not serve, volley and was not comfortable after that," he added.
India opted out of the contest when the score board was reading 6-3, 3-6, 4-0 in favour of the hosts.
However, Misra said Somdev Devarman and Rohan Bopanna are raring to go for reverse singles and book India a berth in the World Group after 11 years.
Somdev will clash with Rik De Voest and Bopanna will face Izak Van der Merwe.
"We are going with great spirits. Somdev is confident and I think he should put it out. He shares the same coach with Voest and knows his game pretty well," Misra said.
Misra hinted that if India wins the tie after the first match, Yuki Bhambri can make his debut in the Cup.
"We will see how it goes, but it could happen."
Talking about the doubles match, Misra said Bhupathi and Bopanna could have finished off the job today itself.
"Things were at par at that time. I think we could have closed the tie today. But Mahesh Bhupathi was not comfortable.
They were playing well," he said.
Both India and South Africa are out of the World Group since 1998. India had lost to Italy 1-4 to be relegated in 1998.
Meanwhile, Somdev said it will be South Africa who will be under pressure as they have to win both the matches on Sunday.
"I am ready for my match against Rik tomorrow. The pressure is still on SA. I hope to finish the job off tomorrow. We both know each others game well as we train together and share the same coach," Somdev said.
India conceded the doubles rubber after Mahesh Bhupathi suffered a groin injury during the start of the third set and retired.
"It's a pity, nobody likes to give away Live Davis Cup match. So it was disappointing for everyone. He (Bhupathi) went for a high backhand volley and suffered the right groin injury. It's same he suffered last year in May as well," Misra said.
"He could not serve, volley and was not comfortable after that," he added.
India opted out of the contest when the score board was reading 6-3, 3-6, 4-0 in favour of the hosts.
However, Misra said Somdev Devarman and Rohan Bopanna are raring to go for reverse singles and book India a berth in the World Group after 11 years.
Somdev will clash with Rik De Voest and Bopanna will face Izak Van der Merwe.
"We are going with great spirits. Somdev is confident and I think he should put it out. He shares the same coach with Voest and knows his game pretty well," Misra said.
Misra hinted that if India wins the tie after the first match, Yuki Bhambri can make his debut in the Cup.
"We will see how it goes, but it could happen."
Talking about the doubles match, Misra said Bhupathi and Bopanna could have finished off the job today itself.
"Things were at par at that time. I think we could have closed the tie today. But Mahesh Bhupathi was not comfortable.
They were playing well," he said.
Both India and South Africa are out of the World Group since 1998. India had lost to Italy 1-4 to be relegated in 1998.
Meanwhile, Somdev said it will be South Africa who will be under pressure as they have to win both the matches on Sunday.
"I am ready for my match against Rik tomorrow. The pressure is still on SA. I hope to finish the job off tomorrow. We both know each others game well as we train together and share the same coach," Somdev said.
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