New Delhi: In 2008, India defeated a Japan team lead by current world no. 6 Kie Nishikori 3-2 in a Davis Cup World Group playoff on grass. Perhaps aiming to repeat the magic, India have chosen the same surface against South Korea in their Asia-Oceania Group-I second round tie in Chandigarh from July 15 to 17.
Davis Cup non-playing captain Anand Amritraj on Friday asserted that playing on grass courts will be an “advantage” for the hosts.
“After speaking with most of the players and the selection committee, we decided on the surface. I think playing on grass will be a definite advantage for us,” Amritraj told this paper from Los Angeles on Friday.
India missed out on an opportunity to enter the World Group following a 1-3 loss in the play-off against the Czech Republic in New Delhi last year.
“We have a very good chance to win the tie against Korea and once again qualify for the play-off. But to win in the play-off, the team has to perform at the highest level in each match, and that did not happen in the last two years,” the captain said.
Amritraj expressed concern over Yuki Bhambri’s fitness before the tie. Being India’s top singles player, Yuki is an important cog in the team. The Delhi lad, who reached his career-high ranking of 88 last year, is nursing an injured elbow.
“I am quite worried about Yuki’s injury. But I did speak to him a couple of weeks ago and he assured me it was healing and that he would be ready by the end of May,” the 64-year-old said.
India have not named a team for the rubber yet but Anand said “the best combination” would be fielded against South Korea, who lead the head to head count 6-4.
“The selection committee will decide on the team by the beginning of June,” the Wimbledon doubles semi-finalist said. “The team will assemble a week to ten days early to prepare. According to the ATP rankings, Yuki and Saketh (Myneni) are the two highest ranking Indians. The strongest player on our team will be the one who produces his best on the day of the match,” he added.
