Ready for the challenge

PRAKASH AMRITRAJ (Player)
A year ago, Prakash Amritraj was merely looking in from the outside. He was far from being in contention for a Davis Cup spot, and had to be satisfied in finding his way around the tennis circuit as he attempted to put miles between him and the dreaded I-word — injury.
Rather than harbour Cup ambitions, he had to start working his way up from Futures tournaments, and even then, the roadblocks were plenty.
Despite a hattrick of titles in mid-2007, the 24-year-old finally went in for wrist surgery a few months ago to put the problem at rest. “I was disappointed to have my good run interrupted, but all I have to do is work even harder,” he had said at the time.
Near-misses at both the Chennai Open ATP meet and the year’s first Slam added to his confidence and he is relishing the prospect of playing the Uzbeks at home.
“It will be a pity if Leander doesn’t play, because if he and Mahesh play the doubles then we would have a point assured. That makes it all the more important for us to win our singles matches. But I am ready to play whatever kind of role I am asked to,” he said.
Incidentally, Prakash has a winning record against Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov — the players who comprise the Uzbekistan team. And interestingly, two of the three matches he has played against them have been on grass, the first of which, in 2005, was in the Davis Cup on the DLTA grasscourts.

Grass factor
ROHAN BOPANNA (Player)
He had made news last week by knocking out compatriot and veteran of many a doubles title — Leander Paes — out of the Australian Open, but the 27-year-old Coorgi knows it is the singles that he must focus on now. “I am looking forward to the tie… playing for your country is always special. Plus it’s a home tie, and on grass, so those things will definitely work in our favour,” said Bopanna. “But then again, it is the Davis Cup, and there are no guarantees. Istomin and Dustov are good players too, and anything can happen,” he added. “I think Paes should be fit, but he will be there to cheer us on anyway.”
Being the most experienced in terms of Davis Cup among the singles specialists in the squad, Bopanna knows his responsibility: “I will try my best, and I hope to play well. Prakash and Somdev are in form as well. I have been having a good run, and am feeling confident about my game,” he added.
The last time he had played on the DLTA grasscourts, Bopanna had given a good account of himself against Sweden’s Thomas Johansson, stretching him to three tie-breaks before losing, as India lost this World Group playoff in 2005. Against lesser opposition, he should certainly favour himself.
He has not faced any of the Uzbeks in Davis Cup prior to this clash, but he has played Istomin on the ITF circuit. Both those encounters ended with the Indian on the losing side, but those happened to be on clay. Grass could be a whole new story — hopefully with a happy ending.

‘Strongest team’
NANDAN BAL (Coach)
Coach Nandan Bal feels this is the strongest squad fielded by India for a Davis Cup tie in recent times. “Most definitely, there’s no doubt about that. Our top players are here, three singles specialists, one doubles specialist. It’s almost perfect. Leander Paes is a huge player, but we can’t help the fact that he is injured. However, we can’t rule him out completely either. His injury will be assessed on February 5 or 6,” he said.
“The Uzbekistan players are ranked higher, between 200 and 300, but they aren’t that comfortable on grass. We have the added advantage of playing at home, which is always a big factor in Davis Cup,” he added.
A good start is imperative, and Bal agrees the onus is on the singles players. “Yes, the onus is certainly on the singles players, and I think the key is to win one match a day. But I can definitely say that we are going to win the doubles, no matter who plays. It would be great if we are 2-0 up after the first day, but it may not be quite that easy,” he quipped.
Bal insists he is taking the Davis Cup one tie at a time, but maybe even he has looked back to 2005, and wondered at the possibility of going through to a World Group playoff this year as well. That year, India had played two ties at home, against Uzbekistan and China, and emerged the winner in both by a 5-0 margin, giving them a chance to play for a place in the World Group.
India’s next tie this year is also at home in April, and a win in that means a shot at another chance to be promoted to the elite group.

‘Options galore’
ANIL KHANNA (All India Tennis Association secretary general)
Even a day prior to the selection committee’s announcement of the Indian Davis Cup team, Anil Khanna admitted he was spoilt for choice. “Our boys are all playing well. We can’t count out anybody — Prakash (Amritraj) is in good form, Rohan (Bopanna) just defeated Leander (Paes) in doubles at the Australian Open! And of course, Somdev is also doing well. But it’s good to have a lot of options when it comes to Davis Cup,” laughed the All India Tennis Association secretary general.
Little surprise, then, that all three featured in the squad list for the Uzbekistan tie. Last February, Uzbekistan had defeated India 4-1, but this time the tie is at home. The Uzbeks had provided indoor clay, but this time around, it is they who will have to contend with DLTA’s grass. Advantage India.
“The Uzbekistan players are higher-ranked in singles, and so, even our squad is very strong in terms of singles players. It is a good team, according to me. We have traditionally been good in the doubles part of the game, but we have to try and match other Asian countries like Korea,
hina and Japan who have a growing singles culture.”