Hopes on Bhupathi to serve an Indian ambush

And, at the Sala Dorata Camera di Commercio House of Commerce on the narrow cobbled-stoned street of Garibaldi, the venue of the draw for the Davis Cup World Group first round tie, India8217;s seeming decimation was complete when Prahlad Srinath8217;s name was picked up from an ancient rotating glass case. He would meet Italy8217;s No1 player Andrea Gaudenzi, ranked 31st in the latest ATP computer list to begin what could be the most predictable ending in Davis Cup history.

But then, Italian captain Paolo Bertolucci left the door ajar by naming relatively unknown Davide Sanguinetti as his second singles player. Sanguinetti comes in place of regular Renzo Furlan who informed the captain that he had not fully recovered from a back injury. He goes up against Mahesh Bhupathi, who has suddenly gained a larger than life image, thanks to Paes8217; withdrawal and the two debutants by his side. Both are familiar with each other8217;s game because they have been regulars on the Challenger circuit.

The Italian seems to be doing better having broken into the top 100 8212; he is ranked 87 now 8212; but Bhupathi, in this all-is-lost scenario, could simply go for broke and bring India on even terms after the first day.

The 244th ranked big-server will have another newcomer Syed Fazaluddin for company in the doubles.

They face Diego Nargiso and Gaudenzi whowould find it difficult to lose against a team of one-and-a-half players.

With all respects to the US-based Fazaluddin, the task before him is simply beyond him. For one, he has to adjust to his own partner who plays doubles at an entirely different level, before trying to beat back the Italian challenge.

So there you are in a situation which cannot get worse as India scripts a new era in Davis Cup history by dismantling the myth that Cup play is all about team performance.

From a two-member team, it has been reduced to just one. And, with the inspiring presence of Leander Paes 8212; which has become an integral part of India8217;s seemingly impossible wins in Cup play 8212; missing, the team looks more like cattle gone astray. It was always evident that Paes made all the difference for India, and now it has proved beyond doubt that without him, Indians look like unwanted guests in the elite group of 16 teams in the World Group.

Paes8217; performance used to rub off on Bhupathi who has managed to raise his game sohigh that he too had started winning matches from impossible situations. But here, in Genoa, he is all alone, maybe a bit clueless as to how to go about the next three days.

To hope that Srinath would do what Paes did in 1990 is an idea which could interest a science fiction writer more than an ordinary tennis fan. Gaudenzi is no push over. He is on a high after winning the title at Casablanca last week and like the Indians, he is charged up when playing for the country.

Even Srinath agrees that he may not have reached the level at which he will have to play on the morrow, but it is a God-sent opportunity for him to go out and enjoy himself; soak in the atmosphere of a live Davis Cup rubber. India8217;s hopes lie squarely on Sanguinetti, who will be playing his first Davis Cup.

He could crumble under pressure or Bhupathi could come up with phenomenal serving for three straight days to give the Italians something to worry about.