Yuki Bhambri played like a top-50 player: Zeeshan Ali

NEW DELHI: Yuki Bhambri's performance against New Zealand was no less than a top-50 player and even the staunchest of his critics would have changed their opinion about the youngster had they seen him play in Christchurch, says India's Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali.

Yuki led India to World Group Play-offs as he remained undefeated in the Asia\Oceania Group tie against the Kiwis in extreme cold conditions.

He outclassed Michael Venus and Jose Statham in his singles matches, winning both the encounters without losing his serve even once.

"Yuki was definitely the star of the week. He played unbelievable tennis in both matches and for a lot of people who wrote him off after the Serbia match last year would have had a totally different opinion of him this week. Yuki played tennis like a top 50 player this week," Zeeshan told PTI in an exclusive chat from Christchurch.

Yuki delivered under pressure, something he could not do when India took on much-superior Serbia in Bangalore last September. Yuki had lost the deciding fifth rubber at that time, leaving fans and experts disappointed.

The coach said it was only a notion that it should have been a cake walk for India against the lower-ranked Kiwi players. Zeeshan argued that they were playing in difficult conditions.