`Close contest on cards’

“Those who play with a western grip like the ball to come higher, it’s easier to swing,” he added. The Koreans use that grip.

Kumar also said that at the moment, it looked like it would be a very close match. “What advantage we have on grass, they have in a balanced team. And of course, their No 2 player Yong-Il Yoon has beaten Leander a couple of times.”

In the same vein though, he pointed out, “I don’t think you can learn to play on grass in one week,” referring to the Koreans’ week-long stint on grass in Malaysia, before coming here. “Even Lendl couldn’t do it,” he laughed. “If you’ve played from the baseline all your life, it is very difficult to come in and volley.”

He said a lot would depend on the performance of second singles player Syed Fazaluddin and that this was the perfect opportunity for Fazal to prove himself. “I think this tie will give us the answer on Fazal (how he has shaped up). He’s had his chances, has Davis Cup experience, played in Satellites, Challengers here and abroad, been in the US for a while…”

Keeping the heat in mind, Kumar maintained that “the main factor would be the distribution of energy. Why did (Goran) Ivanisevic lose to Paes? He got dehydrated. You have to pace yourself.”

Asked his opinion on Vishal Uppal partnering Paes in the doubles, he said he had seen Vishal in action during the grasscourt Nationals at Calcutta and thought he was very good, but experience could prove a crucial factor. “The match between Vishal and Fazal in the Nationals was very close and even if there is nothing much to choose between them on grass, the problem is Vishal has no Davis Cup experience.

“However, if Fazal has a bad first day, then of course, things will have to be carefully thought over. Yet, it’s very difficult for a player to come in on the second day and straightaway play doubles. The others would have played on Day One, been match tight…that matters.

“Leander could do it, but Leander is an exceptional talent.”

When asked if he thought 16-year-old Sunil Kumar was similar to Paes at the same age — Paes has said that Sunil reminded him of himself at the same age — Kumar said, “not really.”

“While Leander was quite quite exceptional, Sunil is a different kind of talent. He is quite athletic, needs to be stronger. But, he won’t get anywhere, unless some hundred thousand dollars a year is spent on his coaching, training and tournaments.

“We can all help,” he added. “I have worked a few days with him and if I am asked my opinion I could give it. But I could be wrong. He would need a top coach to give an assessment.”

While Sunil’s absence during last month’s Nationals came as something of a surprise, Kumar said that while it did, he “did not feel like interfering” as he did not know the background.

He said the other players whose game he liked were Uppal and Mustafa Ghouse. “I like Uppal’s game very much, even though we’ve discovered him a little late (Uppal is 23). He just need to work on his fitness and strength.”

Saying Ghouse had the shots and the game to be successful, Kumar stressed that his case needed to be really looked into. “I’ve seen him last year and this year and there’s been no change.”