India whitewash Chinese Taipei in Davis Cup

Yuki Bhambri in action during the Davis Cup tie

Indore, Feb 2 (IANS): Indian tennis players Saketh Myneni and Yuki Bhambri won their respective reverse singles matches in straight sets to whitewash Chinese Taipei 5-0 in their Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie here Sunday.

The hosts had already sealed their progression to Round 2 by winning the doubles rubber Saturday and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead. Myneni and Bhambri clinched the dead rubbers to make a clean-sweep of the contest.

India rested Somdev Devvarman, who played a tiring five-setter Friday and Saturday, to give debutant Saketh Myneni his maiden singles match in the Davis Cup.

The 26-year-old had partnered experienced Rohan Bopanna to victory in his first Davis Cup match in the doubles rubber Saturday.

Myneni once again came out on top on Sunday to defeat higher ranked Tsung-Hua Yang 6-1, 6-4 in the first reverse singles.

In the second match, Bhambri easily defeated Hsien-Yin Peng 7-5, 6-0 to register his eighth Davis Cup win in nine outings.

The Anand Amritraj-led team progresses to Round 2 where it will take on South Korea April 4-6. The winner of the clash will advance to the World Group Play-offs.