Davis Cup: Balaji and Bollipalli maintain India in World Group I, seal simple win vs Togo

N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli sealed India’s place within the Davis Cup World Group I with a convincing straight set victory, which handed the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in opposition to Togo within the play-off tie right here on Sunday.

With a 2-0 lead in pocket, India wanted to win simply one of many three matches of the day and the pair of Balaji and Bollipalli did the job within the very first contest in opposition to M’lapa Tingou Akomolo and Hod’abalo Isak Padio. They received 6-2 6-1 in simply 57 minutes at DLTA Complicated.

Togo changed their finest participant Thomas Setodji with M’lapa Tingou Akomolo resulting from an arm damage and it harm them as he couldn’t maintain serve even as soon as within the contest.

Balaji was sensational along with his serving. Enjoying share tennis, he misplaced only one level on his serve throughout the match.

India are prone to hand younger Karan Singh debut within the useless rubber.

It was a fairly easy present from Balaji and Bollipalli, who had received a Challenger collectively final 12 months.

Bollipalli was a bit below strain when he couldn’t choose up a half-volley, making it 30-all in his first ever service sport on debut however managed to carry. After that it was one-way site visitors all through.

The Indians bought their first break when Akomolo served within the third sport. At 15-15, Bollipalli hit an uppish forehand return that sailed over the 2 gamers however landed contained in the traces. Balaji then hit a service return winner to earn two break factors.

A riveting volley rally ensued on first break factors with all 4 gamers exhibiting some nice reflexes, however finally, one Akomolo return flew over the baseline. It gave India a 3-1 lead and Balaji made it 4-1 with one other robust service sport.

His nerves settled, Rithivik got here out serving even higher and shortly Akomolo was serving to remain within the set. Nevertheless, he didn’t assist Togo’s trigger by serving consecutive two double faults from 15-15, giving the Indians two set factors.

Togo saved the primary however Bollipalli discovered a overhead volley winner on the second.

The Indians but once more bought the break early, actually killing any risk of a fightback from Togo. Akomolo’s second serve got here below assault at 30-all. The Togolese missed a straightforward forehand to present the Indians breakpoint.

Balaji misplaced the primary level on his serve when he served a double fault in sport 5 because the Indians led 4-1.

Put below the pump, Padio too misplaced his serve and Bollipalli served out the tie for the hosts.