Players love to remind the media that hindsight is a good thing.
But even before Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman put up an uninspiring (baffling in Bhambri's case) show on the first day of the Davis Cup World Group tie against Serbia, there was unease at the conditions we were making them play in.
With the younger generation of tennis players not comfortable with putting on their grass shoes, the one big ace up India's sleeve to seize that home advantage is the weather. And the tennis federation didn't really make the best use of it by having the tie in Bangalore, which at this time of the year is much cooler and less humid than other major cities with tennis courts (namely Chennai). To top it, the Indian agreed for at afternoon start which means the Serbians would not really be pushed out of their comfort zone weather-wise, especially in the second match of the day that started in the evening and was played out under lights.
Also India deluding themselves that the altitude would have worked in their favour was brutally exposed. The Indian players, especially the singles lot, is not any more used to playing at an altitude than the Serbians. The only Davis Cup tie they have played in Bangalore before was the one against Indonesia, and that is hardly a yardstick.
Bhambri especially looked unable to read or control the flying ball: the result of which was 59 unforced errors, a majority of them on his dominant forehand side. The 22-year-old didn't just have a bad day, he had a day that raise major doubts about his tactical flexibility and mental staying power.
"When we made the decision to have the tie in Bangalore we did not know that Novak Djokovic would not come, or (Janko) Tipsarevic would not come," replied Somdev Devvarman in defence. "We made a decision that looked the best under those circumstances."
In fairness, Somdev has performed well in tournaments that are played in these conditions, especially the one in Johannesburg. But Serbia adapted admirably to the challenge and turned in two nerveless performances. They chose their spots and hit them with clinical precision. No frills. Though they were amply helped by Somdev and Yuki's inability to stay hit deep or come up with any sort of alternative game plan, the young Serbs' superiority was kind of overwhelming.
Mathematically, at least, the tie is not over yet and the doubles rubber today between Leander Paes/Rohan Bopanna and Nenad Zimonjic/Ilija Bozoljac promises to be a more even contest.
Somdev also believes that the reverse singles with be much better match-ups for him as well as Yuki. But the assurance with which Serbia's No 4 and 5 played against India's best talent makes the hope for a miracle a hollow occupation.
But even before Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman put up an uninspiring (baffling in Bhambri's case) show on the first day of the Davis Cup World Group tie against Serbia, there was unease at the conditions we were making them play in.
With the younger generation of tennis players not comfortable with putting on their grass shoes, the one big ace up India's sleeve to seize that home advantage is the weather. And the tennis federation didn't really make the best use of it by having the tie in Bangalore, which at this time of the year is much cooler and less humid than other major cities with tennis courts (namely Chennai). To top it, the Indian agreed for at afternoon start which means the Serbians would not really be pushed out of their comfort zone weather-wise, especially in the second match of the day that started in the evening and was played out under lights.
Also India deluding themselves that the altitude would have worked in their favour was brutally exposed. The Indian players, especially the singles lot, is not any more used to playing at an altitude than the Serbians. The only Davis Cup tie they have played in Bangalore before was the one against Indonesia, and that is hardly a yardstick.
Bhambri especially looked unable to read or control the flying ball: the result of which was 59 unforced errors, a majority of them on his dominant forehand side. The 22-year-old didn't just have a bad day, he had a day that raise major doubts about his tactical flexibility and mental staying power.
"When we made the decision to have the tie in Bangalore we did not know that Novak Djokovic would not come, or (Janko) Tipsarevic would not come," replied Somdev Devvarman in defence. "We made a decision that looked the best under those circumstances."
In fairness, Somdev has performed well in tournaments that are played in these conditions, especially the one in Johannesburg. But Serbia adapted admirably to the challenge and turned in two nerveless performances. They chose their spots and hit them with clinical precision. No frills. Though they were amply helped by Somdev and Yuki's inability to stay hit deep or come up with any sort of alternative game plan, the young Serbs' superiority was kind of overwhelming.
Mathematically, at least, the tie is not over yet and the doubles rubber today between Leander Paes/Rohan Bopanna and Nenad Zimonjic/Ilija Bozoljac promises to be a more even contest.
Somdev also believes that the reverse singles with be much better match-ups for him as well as Yuki. But the assurance with which Serbia's No 4 and 5 played against India's best talent makes the hope for a miracle a hollow occupation.
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