Bopanna ends Davis Cup career on a high

Lucknow: Rohan Bopanna brought the curtains down on his Davis Cup career with a comfortable straight set win with Yuki Bhambri, a victory that put India ahead 2-1 in the World Group II tie against Morocco, here on Sunday. The 43-year-old Bopanna, coming out to play his 33rd and final tie, and Bhambri raced to a 6-2 6-1 win over Elliot Benchetrit and Younes Lalami Laaroussi in one hour and 11 minutes at the Mini Stadium. Sumit Nagal now need to win against Yassine Dlimi to close the tie in India's favour.

An emotional Bopanna rested his India-shirt on the court, marking the end of his Davis Cup career in which he played 33 ties, winning a total of 23 matches including 13 in doubles. Watched by his family and friends, Bopanna acknowledged their and fans' appreciation and blew kisses towards the stands.

About 50 of Bopanna's family and friends flew to Lucknow to watch him one last time in Davis Cup. They were wearing T-shirts that had a tri-colour-waving Bopanna picture printed. Younes could not hold his serve even once in the match while the Indians faced just one break point when Bhambri served and saved that too. The Indians drew the first blood when they broke Younes. On a Bhambri backhand return at 30-15, Younes netted the volley. Bhambri smashed a volley winner on Younes' return to earn the first breakpoint. Benchetrit went for an angled volley winner on a Bhambri return but the ball went out as Indians led 3-1.

Bopanna came out serving the next game at love to make it 4-1. Younes' serve came under attack once again in game eight. Bopanna found a winner at 15-15 and the Morocco player served a double fault to be down by two break points. Yuki converted the set point with a volley winner on a feeble Younes return.