India are banking on home advantage, heat and Rohan Bopanna’s rising confidence to defeat higher-ranked Brazil this week for a place in next year’s Davis Cup World Group.
India were forced into the play-off tie, starting at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium in Chennai on Friday, after losing to Russia in the first round of World Group in Moscow in March.
Brazil, who have lost four consecutive play-off ties since 2006, hope to turn the tide and return to the elite 16-nation competition for the first time since 2003.
The South Americans are superior on paper with the 22-year-old Thomaz Bellucci, ranked 27th in the world, leading the singles charge alongside world No. 75 Ricardo Mello.
India, by contrast, do not have a player in the top 100, with their No. 1 Somdev Devvarman ranked 113 and Bopanna way down at 479.
The hosts, however, have the edge in doubles where the former world champion duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi take on Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo.
Bhupathi conceded that Brazil start the tie as favorites — provided they can adjust to the hard courts, stifling hot and humid weather and the boisterous home fans in Chennai.
“Brazil are the better team, there is no doubt about that,” he said. “But we are playing at home and will have a big crowd cheering for us. The court and the heat will also work in our favor.”
Brazil’s non-playing captain, Joao Zwetsch, played down the heat factor and said the main concern was getting his clay court specialists tuned for the artificial surface.
“It’s hot and humid, but many places in Brazil also have such weather, so it is no big deal,” Zwetsch said. “But I must make sure the players have adjusted to the hard court when the tie starts.”
“India are tough to beat, both at home and away. We know exactly what to expect here, but we are ready for the challenge and have a definite plan to win the tie,” he said.
India chose hard courts over their traditional preference for grass to favor Devvarman, who reached the final of the ATP Chennai Open at the same venue last year.
Bopanna will play singles a week after he and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi reached their first Grand Slam doubles final at the US Open, losing to the top-seeded Bryan brothers of the US.
Bhupathi, however, warned that Bopanna would not find it easy adjusting to Davis Cup singles play.
“His confidence will be high, but it’s going to be tough for him, especially with Davis Cup matches being of five sets,” Bhupathi said. “He has not played singles for a while.
“But Rohan has a big game with a big serve, so the points won’t be long. Hopefully he can pull through,” he said.
The draw will be held today, with the opening singles tomorrow, the doubles on Saturday and the reverse singles on Sunday.
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