Canada's Denis Shapovalov (left) consoles India's Ramkumar Ramanathan after the Davis Cup encounter in Edmonton, Canada on Sunday. Ramanathan lost 3-6, 6-7, 3-6. Pic/AP,PTI
Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan registered contrasting results in their reverse singles matches as India lost 2-3 to Canada in the Davis Cup World Group playoffs at the Northlands Coliseum here.
The visitors were trailing 1-2 going into the final round of matches on Sunday evening and needed to win both the reverse singles in order to win the tie. However, their hopes were dashed when Ramanathan lost in straight sets to Denis Shapovalov, which handed the Canadians an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Ramanathan did try his best and gave his World No. 51 a tough time in the second set before going down 3-6, 6-7, 3-6.
Bhambri then defeated Brayden Schnur in the inconsequential fifth and final match to grab a consolation victory for the Indians. The 157 ranked Indian defeated the Canadian, ranked at 202, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in an hour and 44 minutes.
"We did not take our chances. ," Bhupathi said.
Talking about the positives from the tie, he said, "We worked and fought hard and we are very close to making the world group. Next year this time, I expect both Yuki and Ramkumar to be in top 100," he added.
