Young guns rout New Zealand 5-0

Being a Chandigarh-lad, Sanam Singh was assured of crowd backing after he was chosen to play the last Davis Cup tie against New Zealand on Sunday. Only his second tie for the country, the youngster lived up to the expectations as he breezed past New Zealand’s Artem Sitak 6-4 6-1 to complete the whitewash for India here at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association.

Sitak himself was a replacement for Daniel King-Turner, who was rested for the dead rubber.

Earlier, Yuki Bhambri survived a three-setter against world No. 317 Jose Statham 2-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) to put hosts comfortably 4-0 in this Asia-Oceania Group I first round play-off.

However, Sunday’s focus was entirely on Sanam, who - though slight in built and strength unlike his other teammates - has that extra power in his passing shots and returns. In fact, he even put the Indian team management in a fix by defeating Yuki in a Challenger Series tie in China last week.

Sanam came as Vishnu Vardhan’s replacement after the latter was engaged in two marathon matches on the first two days. And he looked in total control of his tie against world No 605 Sitak. Sanam broke him in the fifth game to take 3-2 lead. Sitak, though, broke back in the very next game to restore parity but failed to hold on to his serve in the next game.

The heat factor troubled Sitak right throughout the encounter and it never allowed him to settle down. Sanam cashed on the “unusual” Chandigarh heat and closed the first set 6-4 after saving a break point.

The 367-ranked Sanam gave his opponent no chance in the second set, dominating the play with some fine returns. Some of his cross-court shots even surprised Sitak, who eventually lost the match in an hour and 17 minutes.

New Zealand team now travels to Chinese Taipei for the second round play-off in October to avoid relegation to Group II. India will have to wait till September 19 to know who their next opponents.