India, Korea share honours; Somdev Devvarman wins, Sanam Singh loses

Somdev Devvarman had to dig deep into his reservoir of experience to beat Hyeon Chung, but Sanam Singh lost the second singles match to Yong-Kyu Lim, leaving India and Korea at 1-1 on day one of their second round Asia/Oceania Group I tie in Busan.

Somdev was tested by a player who was making his Davis Cup debut and ranked 289 places below him before prevailing 7-6(4) 7-6(3) 6-4. The 17-year old Korean, who had ended runner-up in the Wimbledon junior championship last year, showed that he was progressing well, but ultimately fell short.

Chung shocked Somdev as he led 4-1 and 5-2 in the first two sets, but the Indian saved his side from major embarrassment with stunning comebacks.

Sanam, chosen ahead of big-serving Saketh Myneni, could not make it an all-win day for India as he lost 6-7(5) 4-6 4-6 to Korea’s number one player Lim in the second rubber.

Sanam, who was originally drafted as a reserve along with Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, got the chance to play after Yuki Bhambri pulled out of the tie due to a foot injury. The Koreans were the underdogs to start with, but they showed the visitors that the tie would not be a walk in the park for the Indians.

Today’s result means that Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni must win tomorrow in the doubles match against Hyung-Taik Lee and Sang-Woo Noh to ease the pressure on the Indian team.