Underdogs India hope to give Spain tough fight in Davis Cup

The Indian Davis Cup team have been set up for a Herculean task, the relatively inexperienced will face five-time champions Spain in the World Group Playoff tie at New Delhi, starting Friday.

 

Spain has a star-studded line-up of world class performers, headlined by the legendary Rafael Nadal in their desperate attempt to reclaim a spot in the elite World Group.

 

The tie, however, is a great opportunity for India's singles players Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan, to not only test themselves against the best but also learn from them.

 

The Indian singles players together have experience of playing just five ties in their fledgeling Davis Cup careers.

 

Read more: Hope to give Nadal good competition in Davis Cup: Saketh Myneni

 

It will be Myneni who will partner Leander Paes in the doubles rubber against Spaniard, Marc Lopez and Feliciano Lopez. The squads can make changes in their doubles team up to an hour before the match.

 

It also is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indian tennis fans to watch 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal in the flesh in a competitive match. The celebrated player has been struggling for a while but can never be discounted even in his worst phase.

 

After all, India does not have many ATP tournaments where stars like him, David Ferrer (World No. 13), and French Open champions Feliciano Lopez (World No. 26) and Marc Lopez (World No. 15 in doubles) can come and play.

 

Nadal has been pivotal in Spain's four (2004, 2008, 2009 2011) of the five Davis Cup title wins and Ferrer too has played a significant role in three of those title triumphs (2008, 2009, 2011).

 

Together, all four Spanish players -- Nadal (16), Ferrer (18), Feliciano Lopez (22) and Marc Lopez (9) -- have an experience of 65 Davis Cup ties between them.

 

Read more: Four times when India created an upset in the Davis Cup

 

Meanwhile, the Indian side is relatively weaker side. Singles player Ramkumar made his debut only two months back in Chandigarh against Korea.

 

It will be baptism by fire for Sumit Nagal if he gets a game, and India will look to Leander Paes, a veteran of 53 ties, to shepherd the inexperienced players.

 

While playing against such world class players, nobody will question the defeat. However, all eyes will be on the manner in which the Indian players will fight it out.

 

As Paes put it "they have nothing to lose", Myneni and Ramumkar will have to put their heart and soul in the contest.

 

Read more: Leander Paes: I can learn so much from Rafa Nadal

The 28-year-old Myneni recently returned after a good show at the US Open where he qualified for the main draw and almost won his first round against Mexico's Jiri Vesely.

 

He possesses a solid serve and decent groundstrokes even as his fitness remains a concern. During the US Open, his body lost fluid very quickly, making him prone to cramps.

 

Order of Play, Day 1:

 

Rubber 1: Rafael Nadal vs  Ramkumar Ramanathan

 

Rubber 2: Saketh Myneni vs David Ferrer