Indians master Japanese

After more than two hours of many fist pumps and rallying cries, Motoaki Kita simply refused to believe his match was over.

After more than two hours of many fist pumps and rallying cries, Motoaki Kita simply refused to believe his match was over. Tossing his racquet to the ground, he stared in astonishment as Saurabh Singh walked to the net for the customary post-match handshake, not moving an inch towards middle-ground himself. That seemingly wide down the line forehand from the Indian player, though, had been recorded as a match-point winner, and so ended three sets of gruelling tennis, notwithstanding the opposition8217;s protests.

One step closer

India8217;s path to the top spot in the Asia/Oceania qualifying rounds of the Junior Davis Cup was now one match closer after Singh8217;s 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Kita in this semi-final tie, but perhaps the Indian player himself was surprised at how easy it looked towards the end. The energy that emanated from Kita and seeped into the Japanese supporters in the stands 8212; or perhaps it was vice versa 8212; swept Saurabh off his feet for many of the long rallies that dominated the second set, and often, the Indian8217;s attempts to smother his opponent8217;s winners were in vain. He tried to finish off some points at the net, but in answer, he found a few spectacular passing shots lying in wait for him.

A deciding set was inevitable, and Kita seemed to be up to the task 8212; a stark contrast to the lethargy that was evident in Saurabh8217;s gait. The fallibility of appearances, though, was soon to be on display, and Kita didn8217;t know what hit him as within a matter of minutes, he was serving to stay in the match. Much of the set passed in a flurry of errors, along with loud Indian cheers and exhortations as India took a 1-0 lead.

Swiftly buried

World No 5 Yuki Bhambri was expected to win the second match of the day against 325-ranked Yasutaka Uchiyama and his challenge was swiftly buried under an avalanche of backhand winners and unreturnable forehands, and the honours were duly wrapped up in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. This result clinched the tie for India, and placed Japan second in the regional qualifying round.