The Indian Davis Cup tennis staff with the Cost d’affaires of Indian Embassy in Stockholm, Rakesh Tiwari.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
It was simply the very best probability ever within the historical past of Davis Cup for India to attain over Sweden. Nonetheless, the non-availability of the main singles and doubles gamers has eroded the energy of the Indian staff, that takes on Sweden within the World Group tennis tie on indoor arduous courts in Stockholm on September 14 and 15.
“If we had Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri within the staff, we might have had a slight edge over Sweden. Now the tie appears to be fairly even”, stated captain Rohit Rajpal from Stockholm on Wednesday.
“Am wanting on the Swedish staff follow proper now. Rankings are very misleading. Having watched a number of Davis Cup ties within the Scandinavian area, I did really feel that we might have a greater probability with Sumit Nagal within the facet. He’s a tricky grinder and never simple for anybody outdoors the top-200 to beat him”, noticed Rohit.
Conceding that Ramkumar Ramanathan was fairly skilled each in Davis Cup and on the Tour, and had crushed some prime gamers, Rohit stated, “Ram can do quite a bit with the ball. However his outcomes usually are not that nice within the final two months. And it’s a matter of confidence coming into the tie”.
Making the gamers prepare for singles, Rohit stated that the load would taper off quickly, to maintain the gamers recent for the match days.
“Now we have restricted alternative. Now we have to repeat gamers in singles and doubles. Most of our gamers are competing in doubles within the skilled circuit. Am extraordinarily blissful for Siddharth Vishwakarma, Aryan Shah and Manas Dhamne”, stated Rohit, including that he felt Aryan and Manas “shaping effectively” as the way forward for the staff.
The captain identified that the indoor arduous courtroom, in a big “outdated stunning stadium” that has been offered out for the tie, was enjoying medium tempo and low bounce.
“It’s each good and dangerous. We are going to attempt to maintain the ball low. On the identical time, we is not going to be defensive. We do know that it’s the aggressive participant who takes the match away”, he stated.
“Bjorn Borg’s son, Leo has moved to be the No.2 participant now. Heard that other than Borg, different prime gamers of the previous, Mats Wilander and Thomas Enqvist, would even be watching the tie. I are inclined to current it as the house strain for Sweden. Their doubles staff is sweet, just like ours,” noticed Rohit.
The captain stated that the tie was large open and “whoever rises to the event” would clinch it.
The tie is anticipated to be broadcast stay on tv and efforts are on to get the telecast on Doordarshan as effectively.
Printed – September 11, 2024 06:34 pm IST
