Davis Cup: Yuki Bhambri dashes hopes of a miracle

By Gaurav Kalra
In the end, memories of India’s all-mighty scrap against the longest of odds will linger. Beaten they were but disgraced they certainly weren’t. Serbia is the world’s second ranked Davis Cup team and arrived in Bangalore with a formidable reputation despite three of their top guns missing. That they were only able to savour victory only on the fourth day of the tie tells a story in itself.

The possibility of a miracle Monday didn’t make a compelling enough sales pitch as Yuki Bhambri resumed his encounter against Filip Krajinovic trailing 3-6, 4-4 in front of virtually empty stands. Unshaven and uncertain, Bhambri stumbled early to concede a break. The Serb said later, “I knew going up by two sets rather than allowing him to draw level would make my job easier and help me handle the pressure better.”

Bhambri, the Indian bench and the smallish but robust crowd recognised the contest was at a critical stage. The Delhi boy battled to earn a point to break back as a group of young girls chortled, “That’s the way A-ha A-ha, we like it A-ha.” Two break points came and went before Krajinovic unleashed a monster serve. 5-4.

Bhambri and Krajinovic were born within months of each other in 1992. They have known each other since the age of 14 and practice together at the Nick Bollettieri academy in Florida. On this day, the Serb had unlocked the code to his friend’s game.

Set three began with three consecutive errors from the Indian’s racquet and yet another break of serve. “Frustrating,” is how Bhambri would describe his turmoil. “I was trying to do everything I could, my feet were moving well, had chances that I usually convert, but it just didn’t happen for me today.” Captain Anand Amritraj noted later, “Yuki needs to work the points more. Matches are won and lost not on winners, but the number of unforced errors you make.”

Krajinovic was now nearing the finish line. He extended his lead to 3-1 with a service game to love. Bhambri’s service motion is much like a whiplash, as he uncoils to propel the ball into his opponent’s court. But it lacks the venom to fluster a foe in form. Krajinovic eyes this frailty and pounces to make more piercing winners.

Bhambri is being pushed ever closer to the edge of the cliff. 3-2. 4-2. 4-3. Krajinovic has learnt well from watching Dusan Lajovic succumb to Somdev Devvarman on Sunday. He quells any resistance with sharp, incisive play every time Bhambri inches ahead in a game. 5-3. 5-4. In less than an hour of play, Serbia is within a game of clinching the tie.

Bhambri battles to earn break points as the Serb staggers with victory within sight. 0-30. 15-40. Davis Cup pressure, it isn’t just a punch line.

Bhambri though is no miracle worker. On his second match point, Krajinovic sizzles a winner down the line. Relief spears through the Serbian camp. They collide in a joyous huddle. Krajinovic reveals he didn’t sleep too well overnight and describes the triumph as “great experience.” He is only 22 and is “proud” to have won the final rubber in a must-win situation. Serbian Captain Bogdan Obradovic says, “Our best players weren’t available giving these younger guys a chance. This result is a great sign for our future.”

So Serbia continue their membership of the elite 16-team World Group for the eighth consecutive year in 2015 while India stay in Asia-Oceania Group One. Amritraj says he is pleased India’s Davis cup performance in his first year as captain that has included wins against Chinese Taipei and South Korea, away from home. “The chemistry between the boys is great. I am a little disappointed at how this tie finished, but three of our guys played as well as they could and that should give us a lot of confidence.”