Internet Desk: Too many challenges chasing India ahead of their Davis Cup tie against South Korea. The wet weather of Chandigarh will make the tennis on the grass court more challenging for India. The set of singles players selected for this years’ Davis Cup is all new. Apart from that there will be excitement to see Rohan Bapanna pairing Leander Peas for the doubles after long gap of disbelief between them.
This time the tie in India against South Korea is going to be played o the grass top. Apart from technical difficulties the weather condition and forecast of Chandigarh kept the Indians in tense. The tie is to start on Saturday. The MeT department has given the forecast of more rain for the next two days. However, veteran tennis ace of India Leander is confident of playing in wet condition. “We have played in wet conditions before. We had rain literally all through Thursday night and on Friday morning when we got out there the court was really soft and damp”, said Leander.
The grass court is keeping him in tense. He said, “I think that tennis on grass is more technical, so the one who adjusts to these conditions faster, is going to have a big advantage”.
The question rose over the pair of Leander and Rohan Bopanna to be played in the doubles tie. Rohan came earlier than Leander at the Chandigarh camp to practice for the Davis Cup tie. Non-playing captain of India Anand Amritraj as well as coach of this Davis Cup team Zeeshan Ali are however, confident of good show by the pair. Presence of Leander who has great experience of playing on grass court, will be a matter against South Korean team. “Leander has been playing on grass his whole career. And he should be okay against Korea. In doubles, the points are short and rallies are short. So he will adjust quickly”, said Amritraj.
On Saturday the first two singles will be played by Ram Kumar Ramnathan and Saketh Myneni. On the same day the doubles match will also be played. On the next day the reverse singles will be played.
Ramnathan will be playing his debut Davis Cup tie against Seong-Chan Hong. Both of the singles players have not played much on grass court. Captain of India is suggesting Ramnathan to get mentally adjusted first before the game. “Rohan has been advising and spending time with Ramkumar”, said Amritraj.