BENGALURU: Ramkumar Ramanathan and Prajnesh Gunneswaran handed India a 2-0 lead over Uzbekistan as they staved off a spirited challenge in their respective singles matches in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie here Friday.In the first match, 267th ranked Ramanathan overcame Temur Isamilov 6-2 5-7 6-2 7-5, while debutant Gunneswaran, ranked 187, outwitted Sanjar Fayzieb 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Ramkumar was always catching up with the Uzbek, holding his serves without fuss, and soon it was 5-5. He though sealed the match with a forehand volley winner.In the second singles of the day, Guneshwaran won the first, third and fourth set. In the second set, Gunneswaran trailed Fayziev 1-4 and the Uzbek levelled the match 1-1. "Before the match I spoke to Leander and he told me to play for the country and Davis Cup is a great adventure, so give your best," Ramkumar said.Bopanna too, "likewise", offered him an advice.

Source: Times of India April 07, 2017 17:15 UTC