Bellucci retires against Somdev, India back at 2-2

Chennai :

A dominant Somdev Devvarman led 7-6 (3) 4-0 before Thomaz Bellucci conceded his first reverse singles match to allow India to level the World Group play-off tie against Brazil 2-2 here on Sunday.

Ranked 113th, Somdev had the upperhand in the fourth rubber when the Brazilian world number 27 opted out of contest.

According to the information received so far, Bellucci encountered some breathing problem due to humid conditions and was unable to continue.

If Rohan Bopanna beats Ricardo Mello in the fifth and final rubber later today, India would reclaim a berth in the elite 16-team World Group.

Both Bopanna and Somdev had lost the singles on the opening day of the tie on Friday.

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi kept the Indian chances alive in the tie by beating Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares in doubles yesterday.

Coming into the fourth rubber in a do-or-die situation, Somdev put up a brave fight against Bellucci, who also looked in good nick.

Both of them played some engrossing tennis in the first set but Bellucci seemed uncomfortable in the second set.

After dropping his serve twice, he walked up to net to shake hands with Somdev and the chair umpire and left the court.

Unlike the first singles he played against Bopanna, Bellucci was spot on with his first serve today and played beautifully throughout the first set.

He had hit six aces only in his two serve games.

Somdev too showed a lot of heart and gave a tough time to his superior ranked opponent in the intensely fought first set.

It was Somdev, who got the first break chance in the ninth game but Bellucci saved all three and the set was stretched to a tie-breaker after going on serve.

Bellucci's game started to wither at crucial points as he double faulted and committed some unforced errors to hand Somdev a comfortable 5-1 lead.

Somdev latched on the opportunity and closed the set in his favour after Bellucci sent a forehand long.

However, the match took an unexpected turn when Bellucci looked out of sorts and finally threw in the towel.