05 March,2009 12:59 PM IST | | PTI
Somdev Devvarman will spearhead India's singles challenge in the Davis Cup Group-I second round tie against Chinese Taipei when the two teams clash for the first time in the tournament at Yang-Ming Tennis Center from tomorrow.
For India, once again bidding for a place in World Group play-offs, the biggest hurdle is to tame Yen-Hsun Lu, World No 59 and the No 1 player of the host nation.
Lu missed Taiepi's first round tie against Kazakhstan and his return has made the team more confident.
However, with Somdev and Rohan Bopanna in good form, India have the edge against the hosts, who will heavily rely on Lu.
Bopanna, who along with Jarrko Niemenin recently beat the No 1 doubles pair of Bob and Mike Byran, has defeated Lu in the past and Somdev has shown the world his class at Chennai Open where he beat top-25 players.
India would also look to target Ti Chen, World No 365, as winning singles and reverse singles against him would put the visitors in an advantageous position.
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi make a formidable team and are unlikely to be troubled by the Taipei players.
Tsung-Hua Yang (498) and Chu-Huan Yi (700) did well against Kazakhstan in the last tie, winning the doubles rubber for them, but playing against Lee-Hesh will be a different challenge altogether.
India's non-playing captain S P Misra also exuded confidence of India's good show. "The team is in a very positive frame of mind. Of course Lu is good player but Bopanna has defeated him before.u00a0 Somdev also has a fair chance (against Lu). He has beaten even top-20 players. The only disadvantage is that we are not playing at home," Misra said.
Misra also said that Acrylic courts to be used for the tie, coupled with the home advantage would benefit Taipei. "Acrylic courts are faster. Our players are good on hard courts where the ball comes fast but on these court ball comes even faster. But they are playing at home and the pitch would suit them more. So it will be a good tie," he said.
"Davis Cup is a different ball game. When it's country vs country, players want to give their best and we are a very good nation at this tournament," he added.
The winners of the tie will advance to the third round. If India makes it, they will take on the winners of the tie between Australia and Thailand to qualify for the World Group II play-offs. India had lost to Romania in the play-offs last year to come back to Asia/Oceania Group.
Teams: India: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman. Captain: Shiv Prakash Misra
Chinese Taipei: Yen-Hsun Lu, Ti Chen, Tsung-Hua Yang, Chu-Huan Yi. Captain: Yu-Hui Lien.
