I knew I was not the favourite, people did not expect me to win: Somdev Devvarman
New Delhi: Somdev Devvarman on Friday said it was one of the best serving days of his career as he fired 20 aces in his winning effort against Czech number one Jiri Vesley to help India draw level 1-1 against top seeds Czech Republic in a Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie.
He won 79 per cent of his first serve points, which was one of the key factors in his successful effort by Somdev. "I was serving pretty well. It was one of the best serving days of my career. It was nice," said Somdev at the post-match press conference.
India's Somdev Devvarman greets Czech Republic's Jiri Vesely after winning their match. (Photo: AP)
"I am very happy with the way I played. I was obviously nervous to begin with. Little bit of the nerves eased because I knew I was not the favourite by any means and people did not expect me to win. So going in there with that kind of an attitude definitely helped me play more relaxed," he added.
Somdev registered his biggest victory of the season, beating Vesley 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-3 after Yuki Bhambri's defeat against big-hitting Lukas Rosol, World No 85, in the first match.
Ranked 164 in the world, the Indian said that the strategy to hold the Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie in Delhi payed off as the slower court helped him post an upset win over World No 40 Vesley.
"I think the conditions helped here. We came to Delhi knowing that it will help me and Yuki. Strategy we used in coming to Delhi, the slower courts of DLTA, worked for us. Czechs are big guys with big servers and are big hitters. Knowing that and given the conditions here we made that decision. We are 1-1 and are in a good position today," said Somdev.
However, Somdev insisted that India were still the underdogs. "They are the favourites in every match, expect for the doubles. Tomorrow (Saturday) we are slight favourites. Other two matches on Sunday, they are again the favourites. But now the way both of us (me and Yuki) have played, we feel lot better about our chances and one match on one day, anything can happen," he said.
Somdev said that his team was ready for any surprise that the Czechs might come up with. "I would not be surprised if they field someone else against me and Yuki. They have four very good singles players. So to come out and change something would not surprise any of us. In fact, they are pretty confident that we are not going to change anything in our line up. But we are ready for anything. We can also expect a change in their doubles team also," said Somdev.
Talking about the crucial moments in the match, Somdev said: "Playing a really good tie break made a huge difference in the first set. Then I was down a break in the second, in fact that was the only time I lost serve, but I kept doing the right things. Guys on the sideline gave me tips, told me what was going on. They told me some things that were going on and I really got some good advice and stuck with it.
"The 4-4 in the second set was a huge game for me. That was the most important game of the match. Tie break was obviously huge and then 4-4 in the second set. I was happy to get out of that game and once that happened, the match kind of opened up for me," he said.
Asked whether he saves his best for Davis Cup, Somdev said: "Every time I play, I give my best. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I am a hard worker as I have always said. I am happy it works out in the Davis Cup once in a while."
Somdev Devvarman along with Leander Paes celebrate after winning his singles match. (Photos: AP)
On whether he had realised that his opponent wasn't in the best physical state, Somdev said: "I completely sensed it for sure because he wanted to get out of the long rallies. It was working for him that how well he was serving. It wasn't possible for me to get a good a hit on the return. May be on his second serve I was a lot more successful but not on the first one, those were impossible to read.
"The first two games were really long. Those two games were extremely physical and I was trying to send the message early on. I was trying to keep him out there for as long as possible. That was my strategy," he said.
Vesley had been suffering from some niggles. Somdev said he was happy to have an off day on Saturday and prepare well for Sunday. "I have a day off and I would be happy to be playing just the cheer leader. I will get a nice long sleep, eat well. Keep my body going and be ready for Sunday. Hopefully I will be able to serve well," he said.
