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Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008
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Japanese team arrives

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Japanese Davis Cup team had a rigorous work-out at the NSCI grasscourts here on Monday.

In the absence of its No.1 player, the 18-year-old Kei Nishikori who had recently won an ATP Tour event in the US, beating world No.12 James Blake in the final, it was left to the seasoned Takao Suzuki to field the questions from the media.

“My game is suited for these courts. Of course, these courts are not going to play like those at Wimbledon. Anyway, I am very happy to play against India,” said the 31-year-old Suzuki.

“Last time I came in April and I know the weather. Of course, we can’t practise now on the stadium court which is different to the ones here,” he said. Suzuki was all praise for Nishikori who was scheduled to arrive later and practice with the rest of the team on Tuesday.

“I have been watching him from the time when he was 12 years old. He is talented. It is his first Davis Cup. It is not easy. I hope he can at least play good. He has played in Wimbledon at the junior event."

The Indian camp had a good training session in the morning but Bopanna and Prakash opted to take it easy in the afternoon, leaving Harsh Mankad to work it out with Divij Sharan and coach Nandan Bal.

The manager S. P. Misra and the doctor, Dr. Vece Paes, were also on hand to supervise the proceedings.

While Leander Paes had landed in the capital in the afternoon from Miami, Mahesh Bhupathi was expected to land in the early hours of Tuesday.

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