Ramkumar Ramanathan and Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi forward of their Davis Cup match, at Islamabad Sports activities Advanced, on February 6, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: PTI
India can be with out their prime singles gamers however the guests, who’ve come to Pakistan after 60 years, will nonetheless begin as favourites within the historic Davis Cup World Group I play-off tie, which is being performed inside a restricted setting on account of safety considerations.
India have by no means misplaced to Pakistan in Davis Cup historical past, profitable all seven ties to date, and the pattern is more likely to proceed.
Nonetheless, the hosts are anticipated to place up struggle by means of their greatest stars, Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan, after selecting to play on grass courts.
If Pakistan stood an opportunity in opposition to India, it needed to be on the grass courts as a result of each Aisam and Aqeel are great fighters, and this floor brings the perfect out of them.
The courts in Islamabad are quick with low bounce, and it made sense that N Sriram Balaji, who’s a doubles specialist, has been requested to play singles on the opening day together with the group’s finest singles participant, Ramkumar Ramanathan.
India had an choice within the type of Niki Poonacha however he’s taller than Balaji, and on low-bounce grass courts, taller gamers wrestle extra as they must go down quite a bit to choose up balls, and that would disturb the rhythm of a participant.
This technique was efficiently utilized by the enduring Leander Paes to torment the Europeans, who would come to India to compete in Davis Cup.
Ramkumar Ramanathan, Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and different gamers forward of their Davis Cup match, at Islamabad Sports activities Advanced, on February 2, 2024.
| Picture Credit score:
PTI
Additionally, Balaji has the expertise of taking part in at stage and that may give him the boldness to deal with the strain of taking part in in opposition to Pakistan on their dwelling soil.
He just lately performed on the Australian Open and the one-week camp in New Delhi, earlier than arriving in Islamabad, would have additionally made him sharper and prepared for the singles problem.
“I’ve shifted to doubles within the final couple of years however that doesn’t imply I’m completely away from singles. I’m practising singles each time I can. After I get the chance to play Challengers I do play, so I’m actually excited to play in opposition to Pakistan,” he mentioned.
Ramkumar is one participant within the present technology of Indian gamers who likes to serve and volley, and taking part in on grass is his energy too. His career-best results of making the ATP250 remaining in Newport additionally got here on grass courts.
Ramkumar will open the tie for India with a conflict in opposition to 43-year-old Aisam, who mentioned he’s “youthful at coronary heart.” “All of you’re reminding me of my age however I’m younger at coronary heart,” he joked on the draw ceremony.
“Enjoying in opposition to India motivates me. I had a tricky 2023, I had accidents and my rating additionally dropped. I’m impressed to play this tie.
“Hopefully, the change will start with this tie, and hopefully, extra Indian groups will come to Pakistan, and I’m glad it’s starting with tennis,” mentioned the nation’s most achieved tennis participant.
India’s non-playing captain Zeeshan Ali felt that it will likely be a detailed tie and refused to interact in dialogue on why the Indian cricket group or different Indian athletes don’t journey to Pakistan for competitors.
“We’re right here to play tennis. Sure choices are taken by the federal government and we have now no function in that. We’ve got come ready, and we have now a job to do,” he mentioned and likewise acknowledged the nice and cozy hospitality the host has provided to the Indian group.
Pakistan have nominated Barkatullah and Muzammil Murtaza to tackle Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni within the doubles.
Groups can change nominations on the morning of the match. If It is 1-1 on day one, Aisam and Aqeel could play the doubles as properly, as they’ve achieved up to now.
Pakistan are taking part in in dwelling circumstances however not many dwelling followers can be there to cheers them as ITF has allaowd solely 500 company and followers to look at the motion unfold at Islamabad Sports activities Advanced.
Draw:
February 3: 1st singles: Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Aisam ul haq Qureshi 2nd singles :Aqeel Khan vs Sriram Balaji February 4: Doubles: Barkatullah/Muzammil Murtaza vs Yuki Bhambri/Saketh Myneni
1st reverse singles: Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Aqeel Khan 2nd singles: Aisam ul haq Qureshi vs Sriram Balaji.
