Moscow, Russia (My Sportsbook) - Mikhail Youzhny crushed Somdev Devvarman in Sunday's first reverse singles rubber to send host Russia into the 2010 Davis Cup quarterfinals. Youzhny's win gave the Russians, who ultimately prevailed 3-2, an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five opening-round affair. Youzhny dismantled Devvarman in 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 fashion in 1 hour, 55 minutes at Small Sports Arena. The gritty Russian piled up six service breaks while holding his serve all 12 times on Day 3. A dead rubber on Sunday saw Indian Rohan Bopanna beat Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. Russia will face Argentina in July's quarterfinals. On Saturday here, the dynamic doubles tandem of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes kept the Indians alive by notching a 96-minute straight-sets triumph over a Russian tandem of Igor Kunitsyn and Gabashvili. On Friday in Moscow, Youzhny and Kunitsyn each won opening singles rubbers to give the hosts a commanding 2-0 advantage. Two-time champion Russia (2002, 2006) is captained by Shamil Tarpischev, while Team India, which was making its first appearance in the World Group since 1998, was guided by Shiv-Prakash Misra. Russia and India have now split four all-time meetings. |
