Davis Cup playoff: India vs Czech tied at 1-1 after Devvarman's win

Devvarman outsmarts Vesely for India's first Davis Cup win

Devvarman finished the match with 65 winners to 41 unforced errors, while Vesely's ratio was 51 to 40. Considering that Devvarman is not usually referred to as an attacking player, those are really good numbers from the Indian.

This is a big upset; Devvarman is ranked more than 100 places below Vesely - 164 to 40, but he showed no sign of that as he controlled things right from the outset.

And he's done it! Devvarman defeats Vesely 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 to level this playoff tie at 1-1. What a tremendous performance by the Indian!

Vesely saves a match point with a brilliant backhand volley that landed right on the line! Deuce now.

Devvarman will now serve for the match at 5-3.

Vesely holds easily for 3-5 with some big serving.

Devvarman holds for 5-2, and is now just one game away from equaling this playoff tie.

He holds to consolidate the break, and is now 4-1 up on Vesely. Just two games away from the match!

Devvarman breaks in the 3rd set!

It's 1-1 in the 3rd set now after comfortable holds from both players.

As per the Davis Cup website, Devvarman has hit 53 winners to Vesely's 42, but has also committed a few more unforced errors: 35 to 32. Still, impressive numbers from the Indian against the harder-hitting Vesely.

Devvarman is ranked 164, and Vesely No. 40. If the Indian wins this, it will be a huge upset.
— Sportskeeda Tennis (@SK__Tennis) September 18, 2015

And Devvarman takes the second set 6-4! Vesely fought off two set points, but the Indian's defense proved too strong and he eventually won his 3rd set point.

After a long struggle, Devvarman finally holds for 5-4! Vesely will now serve to stay in the second set.

Devvarman saves another break point with a crunching inside-out forehand winner! It's back to deuce again at 4-4 in the second set.

Devvarman fighting hard in the 9th game of the second set, which is at deuce right now.

Devvarman now holds, and he's up 4-3 in the second set, just two games away from a 2-set lead!

Three aces in a row as Devvarman displays pinpoint accuracy with his serves

Devvarman breaks back!

Devvarman holds, but he's still a break down in the second set at 2-3.

It was a deft drop shot that earned the Czech player the break, after Devvarman had saved a bunch of break points with some dogged defence.

Vesely breaks early to start the second set, and will now serve for a 3-1 lead.

Vesely with a comeback in the beginning of the second set

Somdev Devvarman gets India on the board, pinching the first set from Jiri Vesely on a tiebreak. #DavisCup #INDCZE pic.twitter.com/jJU1a9qhyQ
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 18, 2015

Somdev draws first blood! The 164th ranked Indian is in his element as he grinds out the first set against the 40th ranked Czech

Somdev is using his experience and 8-year seniority to his advantage as he pressures Vesely. Looks like the first set will be a given.

Somdev continues to implement his strategy of wearing down his opponent and it seems to be working, as Vesely looks fatigued.

Somdev is making Vesely play to his style of counter striking. Very comfortable to let the Czech be the agressor and respond effectively.

Somdev Devvarman will look to redeem his team against Jiri Vesely

Davis Cup (@DavisCup) | Twitter

Rosol: "Really good match, confident that we will win the tie. Practising for 3 days now, and it isn't too hot today, so that was good. My rhythm was good, despite a 2nd round loss in the US Open. Should wrap it up before the reverse singles, and look forward to playing Somdev."

Bhambri: "Tough, Rosol obviously a better player, serves a lot better later. Couldn't take my chances. Will like to improve on that, wasn't my best show today.On a positive note, we came back against NZ, and can do that again."

Official quotes from the players to Sportskeeda:

Lukas Rosol ends a run of 4 straight #DavisCup losses by defeating Yuki Bhambri 62 61 75. Czech Rep leads 1-0 #INDCZE pic.twitter.com/ZeM5sycK7A
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 18, 2015

@DavisCup : Just in: India trails 0-1 to Czech Republic as Yuki Bhambri loses to Lukas Rosol 2-6, 1-6, 5-7 in #DavisCup WG playoff tie
— India@Sports (@India_AllSports) September 18, 2015

Yuki putting up a fight in the third set! , #davis cup #indbsczech
— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) September 18, 2015

Rosol pulls ahead at 4-3 at the break in the third set

Scorching serves from Rosol! Bhambri 3-2 Rosol at the break

Good luck @SomdevD @yukibhambri @Leander @rohanbopanna @MyneniSaketh #DavisCup #chakde
— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) September 18, 2015

World Group Play-Off India Vs Czech Republic @DavisCup - Break :) Pls holds serve now. Rosol up 6-2 6-1 1-2 against Yuki Bhambri
— Mahiya Surana (@mahiya_90) September 18, 2015

Rosol motors into a two-set lead in New Delhi; now leads Bhambri 62 61. #DavisCup #INDCZE pic.twitter.com/yDuCLJcg8q
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 18, 2015

Rosol leads 6-1

Back to back double faults from Bhambri cost him this set as well.

Lukas Rosol looks strong today as he's up a set and leads Bhambri 4 games to love in the second set. He looks poised for a straight sets victory against the Indian.

Bhambri with a comeback and gets on the scoreboard in the second set

Rosol extend his lead to 4-0

Already down a set @yukibhambri loses first game of second Set @DavisCup #worldgroupplayoff pic.twitter.com/B2kus0c2kR
— Sandip Sikdar (@ronnie_sandip) September 18, 2015

Rosol is currently overpowering his competitor Bhambri as the Indian is down 2-6 in the first set.

The first match of the day, from New Delhi, sees Yuki Bhambri pitted against Lukas Rosol.