Ramkumar fights but Saketh fizzles as Spain lead 2-0

Spain is up 2-0. Expected. Feliciano Lopez lost a set to Ramanathan Ramkumar — a little unexpected

Saketh Myneni and Ramanathan Ramkumar in action

New Delhi: Âu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Spain is up 2-0. Expected. Feliciano Lopez lost a set to Ramanathan Ramkumar — a little unexpected. But the biggest surprise was Rafael Nadal’s eleventh hour pull out, an hour before the opening singles, even as fans were still queuing to get into the stadium.

Neither Ramkumar, nor Saketh Myneni, the second singles player, or the rest of the Indian team knew of Spain or Rafa’s plans to pull out.

Lopez knew Nadal might not play
Later, Nadal’s replacement Feliciano Lopez, who beat Ramkumar 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in two hours 36 minutes, revealed, “We knew during the week that I might play the tie instead of Rafa as he was not 100 per cent sure if he will be up to (it) for the tie. So I had an idea, so it wasn’t bothering me.

“Rafa has been struggling with his wrist for last 2-3 months, he didn’t want to take risk. We talked with the captain and decided it was the right decision that I should play. There is a good chance that he might play the doubles either with Marc or with me.”

In the second singles, David Ferrer, ranked No 13 in the world, who in any other era — other than that of Rafa Nadal — might have been a clay court legend pulverized India No 1 and World No 137 Saketh Myneni 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in less than 90 minutes.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!