Calcutta lad to partner Paes in doubles

And just to prove the adage things happen in threes, India made a disastrous start to 1999 by losing to South Korea in Seogwipo City on Cheju Island. When China came to the grass courts of Calcutta’s South Club last April, only one tie lay between India and relegation to Group II. Leander Paes was there but Mahesh Bhupathi did not want to play singles and aggravate his injured shoulder, and the onus fell on Syed Fazaluddin. It was there, in front of his home crowd, that Fazaluddin managed to win and a relieved India took the tie.

Now, with Bhupathi out again following surgery on his shoulder, it comes as no real surprise that Fazaluddin will play the second singles. (Paes plays the first). Krishnan said Fazaluddin was the choice, made both on basis of surface and the fact that he had already played a Davis Cup tie before.

“We were already leaning towards Fazal,” he said at Thursday’s draw ceremony. “The practice sessions just confirmed the choice.”

Lebanese non-playing captain Raymond Kattoura’s attitude towards the tie seemed que-sera-sera. “We have no strategy, nothing,” he said. “We have never played a tie on grass before. We came early to get some practice. We will give it our best, India is a good team,” he added.

Their top player Hicham Zaatini has had a career high singles ranking of 490, and is now around 570. He has never played on grass. The Spanish-speaking man from Zgharta is based in Marachi, Vnezuela, where his brother runs a tennis coaching scheme. “Let’s see,” said the Sting and NBA fan when asked about his chances.

Number two Ali Hamadeh has played one event on grass in Chandigarh some years ago and is more familiar with the Indians; he partnered Bhupathi to a NCAA doubles crown in 1995 when they were both at the University of Mississippi.

But despite the facts and statistics, Lebanon will not be a cakewalk, if simply because they represent the unknown. Last year, they lost to Japan and then beat Pakistan to stay in Group I. The previous year, they lost to New Zealand 2-3. The happy-go-lucky Lebanese have been portrayed as underdogs and will probably play under much less pressure than the Indians.

The mood of the Indians seemed relaxed, if one goes by the way they began Thursday’s practice session — with a rather abandoned game of cricket. Sans rules, but with loads of enthusiasm. The team looks like it did in the Delhi meet over last weekend: Fit and happy in each other’s company.

All the players seem to look to Krishnan for direction and there seem to be no communication gaps. What should be another plus is that Paes will play the first match against Hamadeh. If he should pull off a comfortable win, it will be a morale-boost for India and especially Fazaluddin, who will play under less pressure. It is time for him to perform.

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY: Leander Paes vs Ali Hamadeh followed by Syed Fazaluddin vs Hicham Zaatini.
Saturday: Paes/Fazaluddin vs Zaatini/Hamadeh
Sunday: Paes vs Zaatini followed by Fazal vs Hamadeh