‘Somdev will break into top 100 by year end’

“My observation was based on two factors. I was confident that Somdev would win both his singles matches and I backed our doubles team to win,because (Rohan) Bopanna is a good doubles player. Going 2-0 up on Day One was a bonus,but then there was Bhupathi’s injury hiccup in doubles which put the onus back on Somdev. In the reverse singles,Somdev was somewhat rattled by Rik de Voest’s chip-and-charge tactics in the first two sets. But to his credit he hung on. Ultimately his perseverance and better fitness saw him through,” Ali opined.

The legendary coach believes that Somdev will break into top hundred by the year end. “This is his first year as a professional and he has improved by leaps and bounds. I coached him during his formative years. After he lost the final of the Chennai Open I had a talk with him regarding his second serve and baseline game. He has made the necessary correction. I would be surprised if he doesn’t make it into top hundred by the year end,” said Ali.

He was also all praise for young Yuki Bhambri who made a winning debut in the Davis Cup.

“Three years ago,when he came to Kolkata to play in my tournament,I said that this guy has the game. He is the best young talent the country has at the moment. He is only 17 years of age and will improve with time. He played the dead rubber all right,but considering that it was his first match in the Davis Cup,he did a fantastic job,” Ali said.

According to him this is one of the memorable victories India achieved in the Davis Cup,especially the way Somdev turned the tables after losing first two sets in the reverse singles. “But the World Group battle is going to be a lot tougher. In Somdev we have a rising star,Bopanna can be quite handful if he is consistent and Leander would be back. So we have a team to face the bigger challenge. Hopefully the draw would be favourable for us,” Ali concluded.