Davis Cup: India has the upper hand in the historic match against Pakistan
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Even without its top singles players, Indian Davis Cup tennis, which came to Pakistan after 60 years, will have the upper hand in this historic World Group One match being played under tight security. The Indian team has never lost to Pakistan in the history of Davis Cup and has won all seven matches. Pakistan has fielded its biggest stars Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi and Akil Khan who can challenge India while playing on grass courts.
Pakistan will be able to challenge India only on grass courts because this is the surface that their top players like. The tennis courts in Islamabad are now fast and have low bounce and hence doubles specialist N Sriram Balaji has been asked to play the singles match on the first day. He will challenge in this category along with the team’s best singles player Ramkumar Ramanathan. India also had the option of Nikki Poonacha but he is taller than Balaji and tall players face problems on grass courts with slow bounce. He has to bend a lot to pick up the ball, which spoils his rhythm.
Leander Paes used this strategy very well against the European players who came to India to play Davis Cup. Balaji also has the experience with which he can withstand the pressure of facing Pakistan on its soil. He recently played the Australian Open and attended a week-long camp in Delhi before coming here. Balaji said, “I have been playing doubles for the last few years but it does not mean that I cannot play singles at all. I play solo whenever I get a chance. I am very excited to play against Pakistan.
Ramkumar is a serve and volley player and he also likes rough courts. He reached the Newport ATP 250 final on grass court itself. He will start the Indian challenge against 43-year-old Aisam. Aisam said at the time of the draw, “You all remind me of my age but I am young at heart.” Playing against India inspires me. Last year my ranking dropped due to injuries but I will perform well in this match.
India’s non-playing captain Zeeshan Ali believes that it will be a close match. He refused to get into the debate as to why the Indian cricket team or other Indian players do not come to Pakistan. He said, “We have come here to play tennis.” Some decisions are taken by the government and we have no role in them. We have come prepared and will play well.” In the doubles, Saketh Myneni and Yuki Bhambri will face Barkatullah and Muzammil Mortaza. Score on first day 1. If there is 1, Aisam and Akil can also enter the doubles.
Draw : 3rd February :First Singles: Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi Second Singles: Akil Khan vs Sriram Balaji February 4: Doubles: Barkatullah and Muzammil Mortaza vs Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni First Singles: Ramkumar Ramanathan vs Akil Khan Second Singles: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi Versus Shriram Balaji.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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