India puts a real scare into Davis Cup champions Serbia when Somdev Devvarman shocks Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 7-5, 7-6(3) to even their first-round tie in Novi Sade at 1-1. Earlier, Serbian Viktor Troicki took a dramatic 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, 6-3 win over Rohan Bopanna.
Serbia is playing without its top singles players, Novak Djokovic, while India is without its top doubles pairing of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes. Devvarman and Bhupathi are also scheduled to play the doubles together against Nenad Zimonjic and one of three possible Serbian players, including Ilija Bozoljac. "We definitely believe now we can win this tie and we will go out there to give it our best shot," said Devvarman.
In Zagreb, Philipp Kohlschreiber saved a match point and bested Ivan Dodig 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to even Germany’s tie with Croatia 1-1. Earlier, Croatia’s Marin Cilic defeated Florian Mayer 4-6, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
In Ostrava, top Czech Tomas Berdych bested Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6(5) 6-2 6-3 to level their tie with Kazakhstan at 1-1. Earlier, Kazakh No.1 Andrey Golubev overcame a tearful Jan Hajek 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-3.
In Boras, Sweden, Robin Soderling wasted Russian Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, before former top 10 player and now world No. 749 Joachim Johansson bombed 33 aces and defeated Russian No. 1 Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-4. Johansson had played just three matches in the last two seasons due to shoulder and elbow problems. He is working with Soderling’s ex-coach, my coach Magnus Norman.