Young Yuki Bhambri gave India a winning start and a 1-0 lead against Chinese Taipei in the Asia/Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie here Friday.
Bhambri seemed headed for an easy victory after winning the first two sets with relative ease but an ankle injury in the third hampered his progress.
In the end, the Indian showed great grit to battle past the Taipei No.1 Tsung Hua Yang 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3 in two hours and 52 minutes.
Taipei's chances of progressing has taken a severe hit after Yang's loss. The World No.216 is spearheading the Taipei challenge after injuries to world number 54 Yen-Hsun Lu and Jimmy Wang (154).
Somdev Devvarman will take on Ti Chen in the second singles.
Somdev is coming into the match on the back of first round defeats in Chennai Open and Australian Open.
The Indian singles ace, however, will be riding high on confidence when he takes on 284th-ranked Ti Chen in the second singles.
He has beaten Ti twice on both occasions they have crossed paths in the past.
