17 March,2009 06:05 PM IST | | AFP
India will host their Davis Cup tie against Australia in May on a hardcourt surface in Chennai, setting aside their long-time policy to play at home on grass.
The Asia-Oceania Group I third-round tie, which will see the winner advance to the play-offs for the elite World Group, will be held at the Nungambakkam Tennis Centre from May 8-10, officials said.
The decision to play on a hardcourt was taken to help India's number one Somdev Devvarman, who reached the ATP Chennai Open final at the same venue in January, Indian tennis official Anil Khanna said. "The court in Chennai not only helps Somdev, but the other players in the squad are also familiar with the surface," Khanna added.
India face a tough challenge against a strong Australian side expected to feature Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione in the singles.
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Australia, who won the last of their 28 Davis Cup titles in 2003, were forced to play in the Asia-Oceania zone after losing to Chile 3-2 in the World Group play-offs last year. Australia beat Thailand 3-2 and India ousted Taiwan by a similar margin earlier this month to set up the May clash.
