BANGALORE, India (AP) — Dusan Lajovic and Filip Krajinovic ensured a depleted Serbia led India 2-0 after the opening singles in their Davis Cup playoff on Friday.
The 61st-ranked Lajovic, who reached the fourth round of the French Open, disposed of 153rd-ranked Yuki Bhambri 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in just over two hours.
The lead was increased by 108th-ranked Krajinovic with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over 144th-ranked Somdev Devvarman.
Serbia, last year’s runner-up, took the comfortable lead on hard court despite the absence of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who was tired, and Janko Tipsarevic, who was injured.
The Indian pair of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna will have to defeat Nenad Zimonjic and Ilijua Bozoljac in the doubles on Saturday to keep the rubber alive.
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