Sriram Balaji, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli Keep India In World Group I, Seal Tie Against Togo

N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli sealed India's place in the Davis Cup World Group I with a convincing straight set victory

N Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli sealed India's place in the Davis Cup World Group I with a convincing straight set victory, which handed the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead against Togo in the play-off tie in New Delhi on Sunday. With a 2-0 lead in pocket, India needed to win just one of the three matches of the day and the pair of Balaji and Bollipalli did the job in the very first contest against M'lapa Tingou Akomolo and Hod'abalo Isak Padio. They won 6-2 6-1 in just 57 minutes at DLTA Complex. Togo replaced their best player Thomas Setodji with M'lapa Tingou Akomolo due to an arm injury and it hurt them as he could not hold serve even once in the contest.

Balaji was sensational with his serving. Playing percentage tennis, he lost just one point on his serve during the match.

India are likely to hand young Karan Singh debut in the dead rubber. It was a pretty straightforward show from Balaji and Bollipalli, who had won a Challenger together last year.

Bollipalli was a bit under pressure when he could not pick up a half-volley, making it 30-all in his first ever service game on debut but managed to hold. After that it was one-way traffic throughout.

The Indians got their first break when Akomolo served in the third game. At 15-15, Bollipalli hit an uppish forehand return that sailed over the two players but landed inside the lines. Balaji then hit a service return winner to earn two break points.