Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003 |
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Tennis
Indian Davis Cup players (from left) Harsh Mankad and Leander Paes flexing their muscles as Vishal Uppal and captain Ramesh Krishnan look on during the practice session, in Kolkata on Tuesday. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish
The Indian ace Leander Paes, arriving on Tuesday morning from Orlando via London after playing the ATP Masters Series and joined the team practice at the South Club lawns. Tthe Indian captain Ramesh Krishnan was a bit restrained in his remarks saying that the weather will not be so much of a factor as most of the Davis Cup ties in the venue have been held around this part of the year. Paes, however, was much forthright saying that the heat will wear the Kiwis down making India the clear favourite. Being of Caucasian origin the visitors will have problems in adjusting to the humidity and heat, he said. Paes went on to add that though the visitors are accustomed to grass, India will have the advantage of playing on home turf. Paes said that India has another advantage in the doubles where he will be teaming up with Mahesh Bhupathi, who is scheduled to join practice on Wednesday. Despite not teaming up in the professional circuit, he and Bhupathi partnered successfully against Japan in the first round tie earlier this year. The seasoned Davis Cupper said that he was keenly awaiting the match against New Zealand's topper Marc Nielsen, who gave him a tough fight last year as India visited down under for a 4-1 win. Commenting on his own plans about his doubles career, Paes said that his present partner, David Rikl of Czech Republic, has been pairing with his quite well. "I'm enjoying playing with him and he does the same,'' he said adding that the partnership, which is hardly three months old, is already showing results. "I want to have a long-standing partnership with him," he said. The New Zealand captain Glenn Wilson, attending the formal news conference organised by the host Bengal Tennis Association, said that his boys are gradually adjusting to the conditions having three days of practice at the venue, already. He went on to add that though humidity is likely to tell on the fitness of his players, the surface will aid New Zealand's cause as the duration of the ties will be much shorter compared to clay or hard court. This will help his boys last the length, Wilson felt. — Our Sports Reporter
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