Tennis: Indian squad for Davis Cup tie against Canada announced
The Indian team for the upcoming Davis Cup World Group play-off against Canada was announced yesterday. India's top ranked singles player Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni made a comeback to the team to join Ramkumar Ramanathan and Rohan Bopanna. The team is led by non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi. Prajnesh Gunneswaran and N Sriram Balaji have been selected as reserve players.
Leander Paes dropped
Veteran tennis player Leander Paes has been dropped from the team, after his rankings saw a dip. The 44-year old is ranked 59th, well behind 17th ranked Rohan Bopanna, who has been selected as thedoubles specialist. His performance was below par this year. Moreover his relationship worsened with the captain, when Paes left the team in middle of the tie against Uzbekistan.
When will India play against Canada?
Indian Davis team is scheduled to play Canada on indoor hard courts of Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton from 15th to 17th September. The first and the third day will see singles matches being played, while the second day will host the doubles match.
India's run in the tournament till now
India started the 2017 Davis Cup with a first round match in the Asia/Oceania Group I. India faced New Zealand in the first round, winning the tie 4-1. In the second round of the tie, India hosted Uzbekistan in Bangalore, and won 4-1 to enter the World Group Play-offs.
Raonic scare for the Indian team
While Canada's doubles team is considered weak, it will be the singles matches which will be tough for India. Canada will include world number 10 Milos Raonic and Denis Shapovalov for the singles matches. Shapovalov is ranked 67th and was the youngest player to reach the semi-finals of a Masters event. He also defeated Rafael Nadal at Montreal.
