Sasikumar Mukund returned to Davis Cup action with a fluent straight-sets victory over lower-ranked Liova Ayite Ajavon, putting India ahead 1-0 in the World Group I play-off tie against Togo, here Saturday. The opening match of the tie went on expected lines with Ajavon, languishing outside the top-1000, lacking ammunition to test the 365th ranked Indian in his home conditions. The 28-year-old needed just one hour and 15 minutes to walk away with a 6-2 6-1 win in the opening singles at the DLTA Complex. Ramkumar Ramanathan will take on Togo number one Thomas Setodji in the second singles.