File picture of Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sriram Balaji. File
| Photograph Credit score: PTI
Ramkumar Ramanathan and N Sriram Balaji might play effectively solely in patches to lose the do-or-die doubles in opposition to Andre Goransson and Filip Bergevi as India succumbed to Sweden within the Davis Cup World Group I tie after conceding an unassailable 0-3 lead, in Stockholm on Sunday (September 15, 2024).
After dropping each the singles on Saturday (September 14, 2024), India wanted to win the third rubber to remain alive within the tie however Ramkumar and Balaji went down 3-6 4-6 in a single hour and 19 minutes.
India’s dismal document in opposition to Sweden within the Davis Cup continued because it was the workforce’s sixth defeat in as many ties.
The reverse singles have been rendered inconsequential.
India will now compete subsequent yr in Play-offs to maintain place in World Group I.
The Indian pair had its first probability in recreation three within the opening set on Goransson’s serve. Balaji and Ramkumar pocketed 4 straight factors to earn a breakpoint however the house workforce averted the hazard.
Ramkumar was, nevertheless, damaged within the subsequent recreation and Bergevi held his personal to zoom to a commanding 5-2 lead.
Balaji served to remain within the set and managed to carry. The house workforce comfortably sealed the opening set with Bergevi holding at love.
Within the second set, Ramkumar had a fiery begin, holding at love.
Bergevi although surprisingly struggled along with his first function he dedicated two double faults to be at 30-all.
Sensing an opportunity, Ramkumar attacked Bergevi’s second serve however might reply solely with a feeble shot on the Swede’s widish cross courtroom return. Standing on the web, it was a straightforward put away for Goransson.
Balaji was below strain within the subsequent recreation. Serving at deuce, he fired an ace however Goransson hit a backhand volley winner on the subsequent level to once more make it deuce. The Indians soaked the strain and finally saved the sport.
Balaji confronted the warmth once more within the seventh recreation with each Swedish gamers discovering service return winners with attacking pictures. Goransson earned a break probability with a volley winner from the web.
Ramkumar hit a robust forehand return following an thrilling rally on that break level and later the Indians saved yet another however on the third breakpoint Balaji netted a return.
The lead stayed with the house workforce that served out the match within the tenth recreation. Ramkumar’s causal forehand return landed exterior the traces on the match level.
Revealed – September 15, 2024 05:26 pm IST
