New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Under intense pressure after losing his first match on the opening day of the Davis Cup World Group Play-off, Czech tennis star Jiri Vesely was a relieved man here on Sunday having beaten India’s Yuki Bhambri in the reverse singles to clinch the tie for his country.
Vesely — placed 40th in the world rankings — faced more problems from the searing heat and scorching humidity of the late Indian summer than the skills of the 125th ranked Yuki on his way to a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory at the RK Khanna Stadium here.
But the contest, which lasted almost two hours, left Vesely completely exhausted and drenched in sweat.
“The conditions were brutal. It was very, very hard to play in these conditions. The Indian team chose just the right place to play the games. We just fought through. I was very (determined) to make my country happy,” Vesely, who had to use his icepack after every game, said after the match.
“I was under a lot of pressure ahead of today’s match after losing on Friday (to Somdev Devvarman). I was determined to prove myself,” he added.
Somdev had beaten the Czech star 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Friday to give India a glimmer of hope in the tie. But Vesely made amends for that on Sunday as he outclassed Yuki over three sets.
The 22-year-old did not face too much difficulty from his opponent except in the second set as the Indian committed unforced errors at regular intervals.
“In this heat, the longer the match goes, the tougher it gets. I was more mentally prepared for the conditions today. He (Yuki) was very clever with his game and caused a few problems. I was relieved in the end that I could pull it off,” he said.