It will be an interesting match-up when India plays China in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group-1 second round tie in Tianjin over two days in April.
The Indian captain Mahesh Bhupathi is keen to build on the fine performance of the team against Canada in the World Group play-off last September, so as to make another attempt at entering the World Group this season.
Despite having been part of the team that had beaten China all the three times in previous Davis Cup meetings, Mahesh expressed a healthy respect for the opponent. “Playing away has its challenges. I think most of the boys are used to playing in China regularly in the season. It is an outdoor hard-court tie, so the only factor is the weather and temperature, but we need to be ready,” Mahesh said.
India has played only one Davis Cup tie in China. “They played us in extreme cold conditions. Even though it was indoors, the heating was terrible. We had to play in our track suits. It is always a tough trip, but that is what Davis Cup is about,” Mahesh recalled.
Apart from Ze Zhang and Di Wu, who have rich experience, China now has a Yibing Wu, who is rated high after he won the singles and doubles junior titles at the Australian Open.
“They are all dangerous players. The young one, I am told, is a special talent. We have depth and experience. We just have to counter it. It will be key for the boys to get some wins on the Tour leading up to the tie,” observed Mahesh.
The captain agreed that it was an advantage to have a five-member team, instead of four, as the tie would be played over two days.
“I don’t have a plan yet. The way I like to operate is, to watch everyone at practice. Take their current results into consideration, including the opposition, and see how best we can match up,” said Mahesh.
Mahesh said that the new format may make it difficult at the zonal level, but felt that India could have a chance against the big teams at a later stage.
“At the Asia level, it is a disadvantage, to have short matches over two days. We have the experience to pull off long matches, especially at home in our hot conditions. If we can get to the qualifying and World Group, it would be an advantage, as it is easier to cause upsets in two out of three sets for us,” Mahesh said.
What will be the plan for the captain in the run-up to the tie ? “I am in touch with all of them. We have to see how they do the week before. Few of them will be in Miami. As long as they are playing tournaments, we are good and ready,” concluded Mahesh.
