Zwolle (Netherlands), Sept 20: The Netherlands made no mistake in defeating India 3-0 to remain in the Davis Cup world group here today. French Open finalist Martin Verkerk and John Van Lottum teamed up to provide the winning point for the Dutch in the doubles defeating Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi 4-6 7-5 7-5 6-4.
The Netherlands remain in the 16-strong world group while India are relegated to the Asia/Oceania zone second division.
It was all uphill for the Indian pair after Verkerk and Dutch number one Sjeng Schalken won the opening day singles against Bopanna and Prakash Amritraj, but they got off to the best of possible starts. Bhupathi, ranked world number eight in doubles and Bopanna, who was called in as a replacement for the injured Leander Paes, took advantage as a tired-looking Verkerk struggled to get into the match.
But the Dutch pair moved up a gear in a vigorous second set to take control of the match roared on by a 5,000-strong crowd.
In both the second and third sets, the dutch led 6-5 on the Bhupathi serve and on both occasions they took big risks to make the break.
The home team again grabbed the lead in the fourth set and held on to it until they made the vital, final break at 5-4 with a Verkerk volley closing out the rubber in 2hr 37min. Sunday's reverse singles have no say on the outcome of the rubber and will be played over the best of three sets. Bureau Report