India beat Brazil 3-2
(Davis Cup World Group play-off, Chennai)

MONDAY 20, September 2010.

History was made at the SDAT Tennis Stadium on Sunday as India won both its reverse singles matches, effecting a 3-2 turnaround in its Davis Cup World Group play-off against Brazil. The win marked the first occasion of India rallying from a 0-2 deficit to claim a tie since its competition debut in 1921.

A dominant Somdev led 7-6 (3) 4-0 before world number 27 Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil conceded the first reverse singles, failing to negotiate hot and humid conditions and thus allowing India to level the tie 2-2.

The 479th-ranked Bopanna then came out firing on all cylinders to beat 75th-ranked Ricardo Mello 6-3 7-6(2) 6-3 in the fifth rubber to complete an amazing come-from-behind win.

On friday, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi had earlier brought India back in the tie by beating Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares in the doubles rubber.