India vs Morocco – Sumit Nagal clinched a straight set win against Morocco’s Adam Moundir in the Davis Cup Group II tie on Saturday 16th September. Nagal’s victory helped India level the tie 1-1. Earlier, suffered an injury and withdrew from the contest against World No. 557 Yassine Dlimi as India lost the opening tie of the day at contest at the Vijayant Khand Mini Stadium in Lucknow.
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Davis Cup – India vs Morocco Day 1 Schedule
- Sasikumar Mukund LOST TO Yassine Dlimi – 7-6, 5-7, 1-4
- Sumit Nagal BEAT Adam Moundir – 6-3, 6-3
Sasikumar Mukund vs Yassine Dlimi
After being on court for three hours and eight minutes, the 26-year-old Mukund conceded the match, soon after taking a medical timeout at 1-2 of the third set. Cramping badly and grimacing in pain, he retired when the score was 7-6 (4) 5-7 1-4.
The huge difference in the rankings notwithstanding — Mukund is 192 places above Dlimi at 365 — it was far from an easy game for the Indian. “We knew the fitness will play a huge role in this tie. The conditions are tough but it’s same for both the players. Mukund had his chances and he did not take them. Once you start cramping and movement is restricted, psychologically, it becomes tough to come back,” said India coach Zeeshan Ali, summing up the situation.
“The draw seems fine. Normally, every captain prefers his No. 1 player comes on court first to give the country an advantage. My first preference was Sumit to play first. It’s going to be challenging in terms of the weather. The idea is to keep the players hydrated and feed them with a lot of electrolytes. No team is easy, no player is easy in today’s time. Both our players need to rise to the occasion and deliver for the country,” India’s non-playing captain Rajpal said.
whereas Nagal and Mukund will play Dlimi and Moundir respectively in the reverse singles on the final day. There is a lot of excitement around rubber where Bopanna, who recently finished runner-up at the US Open men’s doubles final, will be playing his final Davis Cup match.
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The big picture
The upcoming contest between both the nations is part of a World Group II fixture in the Davis Cup. India slipped to Group II following their loss to Denmark in the Group I playoffs in February this year. Victory against Morocco is very important for India. It will help the team get back into the Group I playoffs tie. Meanwhile this tie will also be the last Davis Cup fixture for Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna.
The 43-year old Doubles specialist has decided to call it time on his David Cup career. He has played for India for 20 years. The veteran much recently finished as runner-up in the Men’s Doubles at the US Open. He also made the record for the oldest player to feature in a Grand Slam final. On Sunday, Bopanna will team up with Bhambri to take on Morocco’s doubles pair of Elliot Benchetrit and Younes Lalami Laaroussi.
