Indian team’s hopes of annexing its first junior Davis Cup title win went up in smoke after it was blanked 0-3 by the United States in the semifinals in Mexico on Sunday.
As usual, a lot depended on Delhi’s Yuki Bhambri but this time talented teenager, despite fighting valiantly, could not notch up a win.
After Saurabh Singh lost the first singles, Yuki stepped on the court in a must-win situation.
However, it was not the first time that the 15-year-old player was facing such a situation. In the Group stage — against Mexico and Great Britain — Yuki had found himself in similar position twice and had delivered.
This time though he could not pull it off for India.
In the match between the number two players, Saurabh was comprehensively beaten by Evan King, who pummeled the Indian 6-2, 6-0 to give the United States a perfect start.
Yuki then lost to Denis Kudla 4-6, 7-6(6), 4-6, which made the doubles match a dead rubber.
The Indian combine of Saurabh and V S Abhishek then went down fighting 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 against King and Raymond Sarmiento.
India had topped Group D to qualify for the semifinals.
