India to host Uzbekistan for Davis Cup tie
After defeating New Zealand in the round one of the Asia Oceania Zone group 1 Davis Cup tie, India will host Uzbekistan for the round two. Uzbekistan had defeated Korea in their round one tie. The tie will be played in Bengaluru from 7-9 April 2017. The winner of the tie will play the World Group Play-offs, which will be held in September.
India reaches next round of Davis Cup group matches
The Indian Davis Cup team defeated New Zealand in the first round of Asia Oceania Zone group 1 round 1 of Davis Cup tie in Pune to reach the next round. India won the tie 4-1, losing only the doubles match on day two. It was the last tie for the non-playing captain Anand Amritraj, who has been replaced by Mahesh Bhupathi.
Fifth face off for India and Uzbekistan
India and Uzbekistan have met each other in the Davis Cup four times, with each team winning two times. Both the teams had won their home ties, losing the away ties. It will be the fifth tie for them as they meet in Bengaluru.
Debut tie for the new captain
The tie against Uzbekistan will be the first for the newly appointed captain of Indian Davis Cup team, Mahesh Bhupathi. He will make his debut in his hometown of Bengaluru. India had last played Serbia at Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) in Bengaluru and had lost the tie 2-3. Bhupathi feels that India will have an advantage against Uzbekistan at Benglauru.
India will have advantage at Bengaluru: Bhupathi
"With the current roster of available players for this Davis Cup tie, I'm confident that the surface at KSLTA will work well for the team. The conditions in Bangalore will be complementary to their big serves, putting them at an advantage against Uzbekistan."
