It was all smiles in the Indian camp after a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Brazil in the Davis Cup world group play-off tie in Chennai on Sunday.
Having lost two tight singles matches on the opening, matches they self-admittedly could have won, the home team was staring down the barrel.
They had already made things difficult for themselves. Having qualified to the world group after a gap of almost 12 years (last year), the team had succumbed to Russia in the opening round, thereby failing to retain their place among the tennis elite.
However, winning the final three matches ensured they reclaimed the same. It marked the first instance when India came back from 0-2 down to win a tie.
And if the veteran doubles pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi had expectedly ensured Indian interest remained alive in the tie, it was Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, who ensured a memorable win.
"Friday didn't hurt us, in fact it helped us," said a beaming Somdev, referring palpably to the opening day defeats. The 25-year-old added the fact it was a typically hot day in Chennai helped India's cause to a considerable extent.
"It was the hottest day of the week today, and I won't lie. I was happy when the sun got out in the morning," admitted the Indian no.1. For last match hero Bopanna it was an opportunity to prove his detractors wrong.
"People said I had a lot of demons in me. I can now tell them that I don't.," he said, modestly as ever. The younger lot may have been palpably excited in their moment of triumph but it was the veterans who offered a better explanation.
"Leander has set the bar very high," reasoned Bhupathi, giving credit to his doubles partner for being the inspiration for the team.
"He plays at a higher level than he is used to playing, while turning out for the country," explained Bhupathi.
"The same applies to Rohan and Somdev too. To beat opponents who are ranked much higher is definitely an achievement," he added. And the man who everyone in the Indian team looks up to (Leander) was as composed as ever.
"I have repeatedly said that rankings go out of the window when it comes to Davis Cup," said Leander. "We (him and Mahesh) might have justified our rankings but Rohan and Somdev proved it yet again that the rankings don't matter," he added.
The 37-year-old, who was felicitated in a function on Saturday evening for completing 20 years in tennis, said it was two young teammates who deserved all the credit for the win.
"People may write that the guy (Bellucci) defaulted but I know how hard Som worked in that opening set," explained Leander, adding, "He kept trying against a guy who was hitting aces and winners down the line." There was an encomium for Bopanna too.
"Rohan's last singles match came at Halle in June. Considering that, his effort deserves all the more applause," said Leander, adding, "He may not have won on Friday but he ensured Bellucci was broken mentally, ahead of today's tie."
The reasoning seemed spot on. India had secured what it required and come February, the team will try to win their first round tie, for that will ensure they retain their place in the world group and avoid the play-offs.
