Somdev Devvarman lost the first reverse singles in the Davis Cup World Group tie against Serbia, 4-6, 2-6, 5-7, to world No 18 Viktor Troicki, as India conceded an unredeemable 1-3 lead against the top seeds and defending champions.
India's hopes of making it to the Davis Cup elite World Group of 16 for the first time since 1998 received a setback when they were drawn to face world No 14 Romania away from home. The draw for the eight play-off matches, from September 19 to 21, was made at the ITF headquarters in London on Wednesday morning.
Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni lost the do-or-die doubles rubber against Serbia as India conceded an unassailable 0-3 lead to lose the Davis World Group Play-off tie, in Kraljevo, Serbia on Saturday.
Since new Davis Cup reforms have been introduced, India will not have to go back to the Asia/Oceania Group immediately.
India's tennis legend Vijay Amritraj said that the country needs to develop quality singles players if it wants to be in the elite group in the world.
Veteran Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna outclassed the Korean pair of Seong Chan Hong and Hong Chung in straight sets to guide India to the Davis World Group Play-offs as the hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Asia/Oceania Group I tie.