Sanam shines on Sunday

After winning four successive games, as Sanam Singh faced Artem Sitak for the match point in the second set, nobody present at the CLTA Stadium blinked their eyes. For, it was this moment that they all had been waiting for. Roopa Singh, Sanam's mother, was there too to watch the historic moment. The very next moment, everybody leapt for joy.

The match point was in Sanam's bag and India had just whitewashed New Zealand 5-0 in their Davis Cup tie. Also, the victory ensured that Sanam opened his account in the Davis Cup following the defeat to Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan earlier this year when he made his debut for India.

Soon, the newly relaid green court at the stadium was stomped by countless fans who wanted to greet the home-boy and take souvenirs from the match by clicking photographs and taking his autograph. Yes, fans was less in number as even on Super Sunday, tennis lovers failed to put up a good attendance.

"I was surprised at the low turnout of the crowd. I thought there would be lots of people to watch the match," said Sanam after his victory.

However, it was a moment to celebrate for the fans when Sanam defeated Artek 6-4, 6-1 to help India stay in the Asia Oceania Group I. Clinical performance and the best player of the tournament, some did say, but Sanam, being too modest to accept it, said it was just a combined team effort.

Although it was an inconsequential dead rubber, the match meant a lot to Sanam, especially since he was playing in front of the home crowd and the same court where he grew up learning tennis before he moved to Delhi and then to University of Virginia, USA.

"The crowd showed great support and since it was a home tie, there was always an added advantage. I am happy with the way things went for me," added Sanam.

... contd.

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