Edmonton: India were left to battle it out in the Asian zone yet again after Ramkumar Ramanathan’s defeat in the must-win fourth rubber as Denis Shapovalov steered Canada back to the elite Davis Cup World Group, here Sunday.
India needed Ramkumar to create some magic on the final day of the tie but his failure to convert chances proved to be his undoing as World No.51 Shapovalov shut the door on the visitors with a decisive 6-3, 7-6(7-1), 6-3 win.
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It is now fourth straight year that India have not managed to cross the Play-offs hurdle, having lost to Serbia, the Czech Republic and Spain in previous three attempts.
Their fate already sealed, Yuki Bhambri won the dead fifth rubber against Brayden Schnur 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 as India lost the World Group Play-off tie 2-3 to the hosts.
In a see-saw battle, Yuki overcame lapse of concentration and an early break in the deciding set to finally convert his fifth match point and finish the indoor away tie.
Indian team captain Mahesh Bhupathi rued the missed chances on all the three days.
“We did not take the opportunities that came our way. We had few on all the days including today (Sunday) when Ramkumar had four set points in the second to even the match,” a disappointed Bhupathi said.
Talking about the positives from the tie, Bhupathi said, “We worked and fought hard and we are very close to making the world group. Next year this time, I expect both Yuki and Ramkumar to be in top 100 in rankings.”
In a nervous start, Ramkumar lost 11 straight points and by the time he was gaining in composure Shapovalov was already 4-1 up. He closed out the first set without any fuss.
In the second set, Ramkumar put up a better show. He was a break up and had four set points on his serve while leading 5-4. However, he failed to convert either of those and Shapovalov won the tie-breaker easily.
Shapovalov broke the Indian at love in the sixth game to open up a 4-2 lead and clinched the tie in the ninth game on an unforced error from Ramkumar.
Press Trust of India
