Uzbekistan No.1 Denis Istomin was clinical in dispatching Davis Cup debutant Sanam Singh, ranked almost 400 places below him, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in less than two hours.

Farrukh Dustov was similarly untroubled in defeating Yuki Bhambri 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. The 19-year-old Indian was playing in his first live Cup rubber.

Despite their dominance in singles, Istomin and Dustov are the underdogs for Saturday’s doubles rubber against the vastly experienced Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, both top 10 doubles players.

The 38-year-old Paes, who debuted in the competition back in 1990, is 38-9 in doubles matches. This is the rubber India expects to win to keep them alive. Play begins at noon on Saturday.