Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) India have a reasonably good chance of beating South Africa in the play-off and qualifying for the Davis Cup World Group after 11 years, feels non-playing captain S.P.Misra.
The Indian tennis squad for the World Group away tie from Sep 18-20 was announced Tuesday with Junior Australian Open champion Yuki Bhambri finding a place for the first time.

Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman automatically picked themselves up as the other members.

Misra said the players would be high on confidence with their recent performances, specially Somdev who became the first Indian to play at a Grand Slam singles in seven years.

Misra knows that India’s fortunes would much depend on Somdev, who won both his singles matches in the Asia-Oceania Group I tie against Chinese Taipei in March. India qualified for the World Group play-off as Australia refused to travel to Chennai for the second round tie, citing security concerns.

“We have a very fair chance of beating South Africa and we will work very hard for it,” Misra, former Davis Cupper, told IANS.

“Somdev qualified for the US Open and cleared the first round. I am very happy with his performance. He has shown good form ahead of the crucial tie.”

Misra also felt that Yuki’s inclusion would do him a world of good, but he doesn’t expect to blood the Delhi youngster straightaway.

“It’s going to be a big learning expereince for him. It’s a World Group play-off and he will get to see the best players in action from very close quarters.

“We can’t push him so soon, but he is defenitely going to be the mainstay of singles in the future and he will learn the ropes on the trip.”

The only worry for Misra would be Bopanna’s form as he is making a comeback after a knee injury.

“He is coming back from a knee injury. I hope he does not aggravate it. He has played a couple of tournaments in Italy, but failed to qualify for a Challenger in France.

In case, Bopanna is not fully fit, Misra will be forced to play Leander in the singles or gamble with Yuki as a last resort.

“We will be leaving on Sep 12 and practise there for two to three days. We will see how the players shape up before taking a call on the final team.”

The last time India played in the World Group was in 1998.

South Africa will be playing in a World Group play-off after 10 years. Though they will be without their highest ranked player Kevin Anderson, who has made himself unavailable for the tie. They, however, boast of a strong doubles team in Wesley Moodie and Jeff Coetzee.