Johannesburg, Sep 18 - Rohan Bopanna in a dramatic turnaround shocked South Africa's No.1 player Rik de Voest, after Somdev Devvarman won the first rubber, to give India a 2-0 lead on Day One of the World Group tennis play-off here Friday.

In a tenacious display, Bopanna, making a comeback from a three-month injury lay-off after a knee surgery, overpowered Voest 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena here Friday.

The 488th-ranked Bopanna in the first set struggled to keep pace with his 189th-ranked South African opponent, dropping his serve thrice, but returned to produce an inspired game of tennis to pull off a thriller in a little over two hours.

Earlier, Somdev gave India a 1-0 lead, cruising past South Africa's second singles player Izak van der Merwe 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in the first rubber.

Bopanna will pair with Mahesh Bhupathi for the doubles tie Saturday where they will play ace South African duo Wesley Moodie and Jeff Coetzee with India looking to qualify for the World Group finals for the first time in 11 years.

A relieved Bopanna said the conditions here suited his game.

'After being 0-4 down in the first set, I decided to start afresh from the second set. After winning the first game of the second set, I grew in confidence and from there I played well. The high altitude and courts here suited my game,' said Bopanna, who served 17 aces in the match.

'Also, Somdev winning the first singles match took the pressure off me. I am glad I was able to win it for India.'

Somdev, on the other hand, faced little difficulty in dispatching Van der Merwe.

The 133rd-ranked Indian was favoured to win the match, having earlier beaten the 290th-ranked Van der Merwe in straight sets at the Aptos challenger quarters in July. The Indian took two hours and 13 minutes to close out the match.

Rohan Bopanna, India's second singles player will now play South Africa's top player Rik de Voest, in the second singles.

Somdev, the hero of India's away win against Chinese Taipei in Februaury, was given a stiff fight in the first set by Van der Merwe, whose impeccable volleying neutralised the powerful backcourt play of the Indian.