India were ousted from the elite World Group of Davis Cup on Sunday following Somdev Devvarmans crushing defeat against world no. 13 Mikhail Youzhny as the visitors lost the first round tie 2-3 to Russia in Moscow. Russia have progressed to the quarter-finals while India would yet again strive in the play-offs to re-enter the 16-team World Group. India were playing in the World Group for the first time since their 1998 appearance. For India,everything depended on Somdevs first reverse singles but the Indian was no match to the sheer class of Youzhny. In a must win situation,Somdev was outclassed 2-6 1-6 3-6,which ended Indias hopes and later Rohan Bopanna recorded a consolation 7-6 6-4 over Teimuraz Gabashvili in the dead fifth rubber. Russia have levelled the head-to-head scores 2-2 between the two nations. Coming into the first reverse singles in a pressure-cooker situation,Somdev was outclassed by a superior player. It was first meeting between Somdev and Youzhny and the Russian conceded just six games in the lop-sided match that lasted one hour and 55 minutes. Somdev was soon down by two breaks third and fifth games and the Russian comfortably placed with a 5-2 lead. Youzhny served out the first set in 31 minutes. • Meanwhile,Spain beat Switzerland to reach the quarters,while Chile have taken a 2-0 lead over Israel after winning both their singles matches. David Ferrer beat Swiss No 2 Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 6-4 6-0 to give Spain a 3-1 lead.
