Sasikumar Mukund Cruises To Victory, Puts India 1-0 Up In Davis Cup vs Togo

Sasikumar Mukund returned to Davis Cup action with a fluent straight-sets victory over lower-ranked Liova Ayite Ajavon, putting India ahead 1-0 in the World Group I play-off tie against Togo, here Saturday. The opening match of the tie went on expected lines with Ajavon, languishing outside the top-1000, lacking ammunition to test the 365th ranked Indian in his home conditions. The 28-year-old needed just one hour and 15 minutes to walk away with a 6-2 6-1 win in the opening singles at the DLTA Complex. Ramkumar Ramanathan will take on Togo number one Thomas Setodji in the second singles.

Mukund, who missed Davis Cup action in the 2024 season by not making himself available for matches against Pakistan and Sweden, consistently returned on the backhand side of his opponent and charged to the net to make space for winners after moving Ajavon on both flanks effortlessly.

Mukund had an easy day in office but still Ajavon defended and returned well in long rallies that were expected on a slow surface. The Togolese player was largely left to defend.

The Indian often came to the net, looking for winners, and on one such attempt made a volley error that put him down by a breakpoint in the third game. He saved the chance and continued to charge to the net.

With Mukund feeding a lot balls on the backhand side of Ajavon, the Togolese largely returned with slice shots.

Consecutive unforced errors put Ajavon down 0-40 in game four, and Mukund cashed in on the third chance to take a 3-1 lead.

There was hardly any change in tactics from Ajavon, who was now serving to stay in the set in game eight. At 15-all, his backhand slice just landed outside the line and on the next point he hit his forehand wide to give Mukund two break chances.

Mukund stayed strong in his returns and on the first set point, Ajavo hit a forehand long. In about 37 minutes, Mukund had taken the lead.

The second set remained lop-sided. A double break opened up a comfortable 4-0 cushion for Mukund, who closed the match in game seven after dropping his serve in game five. 

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