Uzbeks win both reverse singles to thrash India 4-1

Namangam, Uzbekistan, Feb 11 (UNI) Karan Rastogi and Vivek Shokeen hardly looked threatening as Uzbekistan played hostile hosts winning both the reverse singles comprehesively to defeat India 4-1 in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group 1 rubber here today.

Trailing 1-2, Rastogi found himself in a must-win match against Denis Istomin but failed to pull off any miracle and lost 6-7(2/7), 5-7, 1-6 as the Uzbeks took a winning lead.

The last match was but a formality and Uzbeks fielded Murad Inoyatov who defeated Shokeen 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3).

India clearly seems to have a crisis of talent and the young Turks -- Rastogi and Shokeen -- never looked like stepping into the shoes of the likes of Leander Paes or Mahesh Bhupathi.

In three days, the only match they could win was the doubles tie with Indian captain and old warhorse Paes in action with Sunil Kumar.

UNI