Davis Cup: Ramkumar battles past Schnur, Yuki loses

India's Ramkumar Ramanathan came back from a set down to defeat Canada's Bradley Schnur 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5, 7-5, while Yuki Bhambri went down fighting 6-7 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4, 1-6 to Denis Shapovalov in a marathon encounter.

Ramkumar Ramanathan defeated Bradley Schnur to give India a crucial 1-0 lead in its Davis Cup tie against Canada.(File Image)

Ramkumar Ramanathan faced a stiff challenge from Canada's Bradley Schnur but held his nerve to win 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5, 7-5 in the first match of India's World Group Play-off tie against Canada in Edmonton, on Saturday.

No sign of nerves from @BraydenSchnur on his #DavisCup debut as the Canadian takes the opening set 75 pic.twitter.com/CwlBKLzx2u

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 15, 2017

Debutant Schnur out up a confident display to take the first set 7-5, but Ramkumar came back to win the second set in a closely fought tie-breaker.

A sublime forehand from @ramkumar1994 and it's one set all in Canada! pic.twitter.com/FDtmo8j3ol

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 15, 2017

 

Ramkumar seemed to step up his game from the third set, amidst fierce competition from the 202 ranked Schnur. The duo exchanged many a long rally and intense points, but it was 154 ranked Ramkumar who prevailed to win the next third and fourth sets with an identical 7-5 scoreline to give India the lead.

@ramkumar1994 battles to a 57 76(4) 75 75 win over #DavisCup debutant Brayden Schnur and India leads Canada pic.twitter.com/rWq9EwKTsg

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 16, 2017

Yuki goes down fighting

Yuki Bhambri staged a remarkable comeback and nearly caused an upset in his 6-7 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4, 1-6 loss to world number 51 Denis Shapovalov.

Yuki stretched teenage sensation Shapovalov right to the limit, in a tie that just fell short of four hours.