Serbia vs India- Serbia going in as defending champions for the first time have been given a real fright on the first day. The first match was Troicki vs R. Bopanna. This match looked like an easy victory for Troicki when he went up 2 sets to love up winning the first 2 sets 6-3,6-3. But Bopanna won an tight third set 7-5 and then won the 6-3 and we were into an final set. It was an tight final set but Troicki came through it 6-3. Bopanna (the world number 629) nearly pulled off an major shock Troicki (world number 19).
But in the second match the Indian number 1 Devvarman (and world number 93) pulled off an big shock as he won 3 tight sets against Tipsarevic (world number 45. The first 2 sets were won by breaks right at the end of the set. Tisarevic lost them both 7-5. In the third it went to an tie break but Devvarman won it comfortably 7-3. Todays doubles becomes crucial which will be played I. Bozljac and Zimonjic (doubles specialists) will face Bopanna and Devvarman. It will be interesting how Bopanna recovers from losing an close 5 set match yesterday will he have recovered in time for the doubles.
Belgium vs Spain- Today was the return of Nadal from his injury he got during the Australian open as Spain have put out a strong side to face Belgium. But the first match was Malisse (world number 51) vs Verdasco (world number 9). Verdasco was too strong for Malisse as he easily over came the Belgium number. It was an tight first set but Verdasco got that break in the 9th game. He got an early break in the 2 second set and served his way to win the second set 6-3. Then Verdasco went up a gear as he blew Malisse away in the third winning it 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.
In the second match Nadal (world number 1) opponent was and surprised opponent Bemelmans (who is the world number 144). The expected opponent was Rochus who is the rising star to come out of Belgium. But Nadal had an easy return as well as he blew away Bemelmans. He broke him twice in the first set to win 6-2. Bemelmans then put on a little bit of an fight but never looked in trouble as he still won the second set 6-4 and then raced through the third set to win 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. Spain will be looking to complete the job off today when Lopez and Verdasco face Rochus and Malisse.
Chile vs USA- This was going to be an fascinating tie as the US player normally struggle when they play on Clay. So they put out a strong team to face Chile. The first match was Roddick (world number 8) against Massu (world number 241). Roddick started the better as he raced through the first set winning 6-2. But Massu did fight back and won an tight second set 6-4. The third set was full of errors as nerves were flying around but Roddick held on to win 6-3. The 4th set was an close encounter as both players had chances to get breaks but it was Roddick who got the break in the end. He held onto his serve and won the match in 4 sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The second match was an really treat of an match as it went to 5 sets and every set hand an tight finish. Capdeville (world number 165) vs marathon man John Isner. The first 4 sets they were matching each other for shot to shot so it went to 4 tie breaks. The first tie break was an tight hitting but Isner came through it 7-5. The second tie break Isner played an commanding Tie break and won it 7-2. But Capdeville came back in the third tie break as he gave it all his effort into the third tie break and won it 7-3. There was nothing separating these 2 so the forth set also went into another tie break. It was an very tight tie break but this tie Capdeville came out on top 7-5. In an very edgy 5th set Capdeville got an crucial break and going with form he wasnt going to be broken and an great comeback by Capdeville was complete as he won 6-7,6-7,7-6,7-6,6-4. It sets up an interesting Doubles match today when J. Aguilar and Massu play the Mike and Bob Bryan. The USA will still be favorites but we cannot count out Chile just yet.
Austria vs France- The losing finalist France of last year got there campaign to win this competition against Austria. The first match up was Melzer (world number 10) vs Chardy (world number 55). Even though Austria were at home and Melzer is the higher ranked player Chardy put on an great performance to beat Melzer. He won an tight first set 7-5. It was a break right at the end of the set which won him the first set. In the second set Chardy got an early break and served rest of the set out to win it 6-4. The third set was another close one which could have gone either way but Chardy got the crucial break to take it 7-5,6-4,7-5.
The second match Koubek (world number 138) took on Simon (world number 30). Simon did blew away his opponent in every set. Koubek could not get a game in the first set and lost it 6-0. In the second set he started off a little better but wasnt too much better as he lost easily 6-2. In the third set he gave the most fight in the whole match but he fell short and lost 6-0,6-2,6-3. France will think they are closing in on a good victory against Austria and will hope to rap up the match Today when Benneteau and Llodra take on Marach and Melzer in the doubles.
In other Davis cup world group matches. Argentina look to be in control against Romania as they won there 2 singles match as Nalbandian and Monaco came through in 4 set matches Ungur and Hanescu. Chela and schwank will be looking to finish the job when they play Hanescu and Tecau in the doubles later on today.
There is an tight match going on in the Czech Republic as they are tied 1-1 against Kazakhstan. Golubev gave Kazakhstan the lead as he won an 5 set match against Hajek 7-6,6-7,1-6,7-6,6-3. In the second match Berdych got the Czechs back level as he easily beat Kukushkin 7-6, 6-2,6-3. Today's doubles will be Berdych and Dlouhy against Korolev and Schukin.
Sweden are on for an big victory against Russia. The world number 4 Soderling blew away his opponent blew away his opponent Andreev. He won the match 6-3,6-3,6-1 but the second match was the real shock as Johansson (world number 749) beat Gabashvili (world number 76) 6-3, 7-6, 6-4. It has put them in an great position into knocking Russia out. R. Lindstedt and Aspelin will be hoping to make themselves the hero's tonight as they look to beat Kunutsyn and Tursunov.
Finally Croatia match against Germany is on a knife-edge as well after sharing the spoils after having two 5 set matches. In the first match Cilic was facing Mayer. In this match Mayer took an tight first set 6-4. But Cilic came back strongly as he won the second 6-0. Mayer then fought back superbly to win the third set 6-4. He then went all out to win the 4th set and put in all his effort but Cilic was too good and won it 6-3. Because he put in all the effort and fitness he had on the 4th he had very little energy and was blown away in the 5th winning it Cilic came through 4-6, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Tomorrow I will bring you the doubles results in the Davis Cup world group and how team GB got on in there Davis Cup doubles match.
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