India beat Brazil 2-1 to top Group D and qualify for the semifinals of the Junior Davis Cup at San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Both Yuki Bhambri and Saurabh Singh came from behind to beat their respective opponents in the singles before the combination of Saurabh and Venkata Abhiskeh Sakleshpu lost the inconsequential doubles rubber.

Saurabh finally tasted victory when he overcame a bad start to beat Henrique Tsukamoto 4-6 6-2 6-1 to give second seeded India a good opening.

Yuki then sealed the issue in India's favour by winning the second singles rubber, defeating Guilherme Clezar 3-6 6-1 6-1.

After pocketing the tie, team captain Kawaljeet Singh decided to field in Abhiskeh along with Saurabh in the dead doubles rubber.

The Indian pair fought well but lost 6-7 (6) 6-7 (6) to the Brazilian pair of Henrique and Fenandes Tiago.

India, aiming for their first Junior Davis Cup crown, now face off against third seeded United States, toppers of Group C, in the first semifinal.

The other semifinal will be fought between top seed Russia (Group A) and fourth seeded Hungary (Group B).

In the first singles, Saurabh paid the price of not converting breakpoints -- in the fifth and ninth games -- and dropped his own in the 10th game to give away the opening set. He was up 40-15 but a couple of unforced errors -- a missed drop shot and a double fault -- did him in.

In the second set, Saurabh broke Henrique twice -- third and seventh games -- and quickly wrapped up the set to take the match to the third and decisive set.

The Indian number two player had complete control over the proceedings in the deciding set as he broke his rival in the third, fifth and seventh games to hand India 1-0 lead.

Next in, Yuki began in a confident manner breaking the Brazalian in very first game of the match but only to drop his own in the next.

Clezar's solid ground strokes from the baseline did not allow Yuki to make any variations and the Brazilian broke the Indian in the sixth game to pocket the set.

However from there on, Yuki raised his game and played some stunning drop shots and was aggressive on the net. He did not allow Clezar to get his rhythm and broke his serves in the fourth and sixth games to draw parity.

In the decisive third set, Yuki was in complete command as he broke the Brazilian twice to seal a semifinal berth for India.

4:45 PM
Categories: Sports. Author: SacHu