Sport | Tennis
We have to be on top of our game - Paes
Indian ace says Russia have many players to choose from for Davis Cup World play-off against India
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 March 1, 2010
- Image Credit: Francois Nel, Gulf News
- Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes (right) lost to Simon Aspelin and Paul Hanley in the men's doubles final of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Dubai: Leander Paes feels he will have to raise his game further if India is to nurture any chances at next week's Davis Cup World play-off against Russia.
"Davis Cup is going to be fun and I am looking forward to it," Paes told the media after losing in the doubles final on Saturday against Simon Aspelin and Paul Hanley.
"I had a really good week here, as we just said, we played some good tennis. Russia are a tough team and they've got so many guys to choose from whether [Nikolay] Davydenko goes or does not go. They've got so many guys to choose from. So we have to be on top of our game," he cautioned.
Paes will be joined by Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and fast improving Somdev Devvarman — a second round entrant here in Dubai — in the Davis Cup World Group play-offs to be played at the Small Sports Arena ‘Luzhniki' in Moscow from March 5-7.
Russia go into the tie with a huge advantage not just because they are playing at home, but also due to the sheer depth in the squad with players such as Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili.
Historically, home advantage has proved crucial in previous meetings between Russia and India. The most recent tie, played on grass in New Delhi in 1986, ended 4-1 in favour of India, giving the Asians bragging rights with a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head series. However, Russia has been crowned champions twice — in 2002 and 2006 — and on both occasions Russia was well served by the temperamental Marat Safin, who retired from professional tennis at the end of last season.
Paes, a veteran of many battles for his country in the past, feels he will be needed to do just a wee bit better if India is to have a realistic chance in Russia next week.
"I've had a really good week here. I came into the week a bit concerned how it would go. But if you had told me in the beginning of the week that we'd go to the final and we won't win the final, I would have taken it. On saying that, you know, next week's another week," Paes stated.
India, whose last appearance in the World Group was in 1998, booked its place in the elite 16 with victory over Chinese Taipei and then South Africa in the play-offs. India has never won the title although it has finished runner-up on three occasions — in 1966, 1974 and 1987.
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
A Christian comment: France can flourish
World Cup-winner Karembeu predicts big things for his country
-
Japan in quarters of AFC Futsal championship
Thrash Tajikistan 6-1 at al wasl club to seal place in knockout
-
High-quality runners set for action
Field includes Smart-trained Group 1 winners Aziz, Harran and Areej
