India beat China 3-2 at Tianjin in Davis Cup, Paes wins 43rd doubles

Speed Post News Network

Patna : In a dramatic turnaround, India defeated China 3-2 in the Davis Cup at Tianjin on April 7, 2018, winning both the singles and the two reverse singles. Leander Paes, 44, became the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history after he combined with Rohan Bopanna to defeat Chinese pair of Mao Xin Gong and Zie Zhang 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, to win his 43rd doubles win in Davis Cup breaking the record of 42 win of Italy’s Nicola Pietrangeli.

The win in the doubles inspired the singles players Ramkumar Ramnathan, 23, and Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who won their respective reverse singles scripting an amazing victory over China coming back from 0-2 down after day one on April 6, 2018. India had lost both the singles on April 6 and were staring defeat.

Ramkumar Ramnathan defeated Di Wu in the first reverse singles 7-6, 6-3, while Gunneswaran beat Yibing Wu 6-4, 6-2, to register a creditable 3-2 victory for India.

India’s non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupati said Leander Paes’ record will stay for very long.