Indians take on New Zealand in Davis Cup tie

Christchurch: More than the opponents, it is the challenging conditions that are likely to test India when they take on New Zealand in their Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I tie here beginning Friday.
The winners will advance to the World Group play-offs and India start as favourites in the second round tie against the Kiwis. The temperatures are hovering around 5 to 7º Celsius and the Indian players are not used to playing in such extreme weather even though matches will be played indoors at the Wilding Park Tennis Centre.

On paper, India simply outweigh the Kiwis as singles players Somdev Devvarman (148) and Yuki Bhambri (151) are ranked much above the hosts’ lineup. Wimbledon doubles semifinalist Rohan Bopanna provides the edge. He’s world number 10 in the individual doubles ranking and along with Saketh Myneni makes for a strong team. Jose Statham is hosts’ top-ranked player and is placed 345th. Michael Venus, who usually plays doubles, will do singles duty as well and has a singles rank of 548th. He though is among the top-50 in doubles.

Similarly, Artem Sitak (43) and Marcus Daniell (66) are well placed in the ATP doubles chart. India enjoy a superior record against the Kiwis, having whitewashed them 5-0 when the two last sides met in Chandigarh. In the last four ties, India have been undefeated. Somdev, who is coming into the tie after a morale boosting Challenger title win in the United States, said they could not afford to take the hosts lightly.