Having fired 20 aces in his straight-set victory over the Czech Republic’s number one, Jiri Vesley, in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie in Delhi on Friday, Somdev Devvarman declared it was one of the best serving days of his career.
The 7-6,(3), 6-4, 6-3 victory, after Yuki Bhambri's lost 2-6, 1-6, 5-7 to world No 85 Lukas Rosol in the opening singles, enabled India draw level against the top seeded Czechs.
Somdev won 79 per cent of his first serves, which was one of the key factors in his success.
"I was serving pretty well. It was one of the best serving days of my career. It was nice," he said, at the post-match press conference.
"I am very happy with the way I played. I was obviously nervous to begin with. Little bit of the nerves eased because I knew I was not the favourite by any means and people did not expect me to win. So going in there with that kind of an attitude definitely helped me play more relaxed," he added.
Ranked 164 in the world, the Indian said the strategy to hold the Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie in Delhi paid off as the slower court helped him post an upset win over world No. 40 Vesley.
"I think the conditions helped here. We came to Delhi knowing that it will help me and Yuki. Strategy we used in coming to Delhi, the slower courts of DLTA, worked for us today. Czechs are big guys with big servers and are big hitters. Knowing that and given the conditions here we made that decision. We are 1-1 and are in a good position today."
He, however, insisted that India are still underdogs in the match.
"We are still underdogs. They are favourites in every match, expect for the doubles. Tomorrow we are the slight favourites. Other two matches on Sunday, they are again the favourites. But now the way both of us (he and Yuki) have played, we feel lot better about our chances; anything can happen."
Somdev said his team is ready for any surprise the Czechs may come up with.
"I would not be surprised if they field someone else against me and Yuki. They have four very good singles players. So to come out and change something would not surprise any of us. In fact, they are pretty confident that we are not going to change anything in our line up. But we are ready for anything.
“We can also expect a change in their doubles team also."
Talking about the crucial moments in his singles match, Somdev said: "Playing a really good tie-break made a huge difference in the first set. Then I was down a break in the second; in fact that was the only time I lost serve today, but I kept doing the right things. Guys on the sideline gave me tips, told me what was going on. They told me some things that were going on and I really got some good advice and stuck with it.
"The 4-4 in the second set was a huge game for me. That was the most important game of the match. Tie-break was obviously huge and then 4-4 in the second set. I was happy to get out of that game and once that happened, the match kind of opened up for me."
Asked whether he saves his best for Davis Cup, he replied: "Every time I play, I give my best. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I am a hard worker, as I have always said. Every time I step on the court I give my best. I am happy it works out in Davis Cup once in a while."
On whether he had realised that his opponent wasn't in the best physical state, he said: "I completely sensed it for sure because he wanted to get out of the long rallies. It was working for him that how well he was serving. It wasn't possible for me to get a good a hit on the return. May be on his second serve I was a lot more successful but not on the first one; those were impossible to read.
"The first two games were really long. Those two games were extremely physical and I was trying to send the message early on. I was trying to keep him out there for as long as possible. That was my strategy."
Somdev said he is happy to have an off day on Saturday.
"I have a day off tomorrow and I would be happy to be playing just the cheer leader. I will get a nice long sleep, eat well. Keep my body going and be ready for Sunday. Hopefully I will be able to serve well."
