India out of Davis Cup

Romania retained their place in the Davis Cup World Group after forging to an unassailable 3-1 lead in the play-off with India here on Sunday.

With a 2-1 overnight advantage victory was assured when Romania’s Victor Hanescu defeated Prakash Amritraj, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1.

“Disappointed? Yes but we’ll try again next year,” said Amritraj, a loser Friday against Victor Crivoi who comes up against Somdev Devvarman in the remaining dead singles rubber. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has won the doubles rubber to give India some hope on the third day.

A berth in the World Group thus continued to remain out of India’s reach and it goes back to the Asia/Oceania Group, where it will once again fight to come back to play the World Group play-offs. India last played in World Group in 1998.