Overview of 1st Round - Davis Cup

First round of the ‘World Cup of Tennis’ or better known as the Davis Cup, ended with defending champions - France and other countries like Italy, Spain, Croatia - to name a few, going through to the quarter-finals. Representing your country is a matter of pride for every player, and it’s no different for the stars who have played in the Tata Open Maharashtra. Let’s take a closer look at their impressive performances.

Mikhail Kukushkin (Kazakhstan) vs Adrian Bodmer (Switzerland)
although the Kazakhs won the tie with a score of 4-1, Kukushkin had to put in a fight to win his match. After losing the first set 3-6, Kukushkin raised his game to level things up by winning the second 6-3. He never looked back thereafter as he went on to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-3. A convincing victory (3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3) in the end for Kukushkin as Kazakhstan will now face Croatia in their Quarter-final tie.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert/ Nicolas Mahut (France) vs Robin Haase/ Jean-Julien Rojer (Netherlands)
Playing the third rubber of the tie and with the score tied at 1-1, Pierre-Hugues Herbert/ Nicolas Mahut faced Robin Haase/ Jean-Julien Rojer in an important doubles match. It was an entertaining affair as both pairs played beautiful Tennis. The French pair kept their cool to win the first set in the tiebreaker 7-6(8-6) before winning the second set 6-3. But the Dutch pair fought back well to take the third set into a tiebreaker and win it 7-6(7-3). The toughly-fought match continued with the fourth set going into the tiebreaker as well. But this time, the French pair took control and won it 7-6(7-2) to help France gain an important win in the tie. “Winning the first set was important and after the third set, we stayed together and managed to turn it around,” Herbert said after the match. The 2017 Davis Cup winners will go head-to-head against Italy next.

Ruben Bemelmans (Belgium) vs Marton Fucsovics (Hungary)
Playing the first rubber of the tie, Bemelmans and Fucsovics, both participants of the Tata Open Maharashtra, gave their best. The experienced Bemelmans won the first set 6-4 before the Hungary man, made it 1-1 in the tie by winning the second set with a same score. The third set was a closely fought affair with it going into a tiebreaker and the Belgian winning it 7-6(7-5). Fucsovics played brilliantly but Bemelmans, playing at his home, was better on the day. The match got over with a comfortable win for Bemelmans in the fourth set (6-3). Belgium will now face USA in their Quarter-final tie.

Marin Cilic/ Ivan Dodig (Croatia) vs Daniel Nestor/ Vasek Pospisil (Canada)
Rubber three of this tie was a never-ending affair. The Croatians pulled off a stunning comeback after being two sets down to script a fantastic win (2-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2). The Canadians were playing their best Tennis in the start before a resurgent pair of Cilic and Dodig made their way back in the match. By the time the fifth set started, the Croatian pair was in full control of their play and as they rocketed their way towards winning the final set 6-2. Australian Open runners-up, Marin Cilic, continued his good form as Croatia won the tie 3-1 and will now face Kazakhstan in their Quarter-final match.

Wishing the best to all the Tata Open Maharashtra stars for their Quarter-final matches.