Honours even on day 1 in India's Davis Cup play off against Kazakhs

New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) Rohan Bopanna gave a superb display to subdue his opponent even though India had to share the honours with Kazakhstan on day one of the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group 1 relegation play-off at Almaty today.

Twenty-seven-year-old Bopanna was in great touch as he outplayed Dmitry Makeyev in the first singles 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.

But, Karan Rastogi failed to hold on to his own against top-ranked Kazakh player Alexei Kedryuk and went down 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2), according to information received here.

Bopanna will pair up with captain Leander Paes in tomorrow's doubles against Kedriouk and Makeyev before taking on Kedriouk in the first reverse singles on Sunday.

The second reverse singles on Sunday will be between Rastogi and Makeyev.

India and Kazakhstan are playing against each other for the first time in the history of the men's team tennis competition.

The winner of the tie stays in Group 1 for next season while the loser is pushed to a final round of play-off in September.

India had to feature in the play-off after their 1-4 loss to Uzbekistan in away tie in February.

UNI