Mats Wilander, Sweden’s non-playing captain for the ensuing Davis Cup World Group play-off in New Delhi, remembers the defeat at the hands of Vijay Amritraj in the dead rubber on August 4, 1985. It was a 6-8, 7-9 loss, and “unforgettable,” too. And Wilander’s humour came out clearly in his talk with The Indian Express when he said: “You’ve even got an Amritraj,” referring to Prakash,on the side. Humour apart, Wilander feels Davis Cup is very different from the circuit. “No ranking whatsoever helps, once on court. The Swede, now 42, believes: “One who handles it better is the winner.”Wilander had replied to Vijay with a 6-2, 6-0 drubbing once he was back to his favourite clay, but, then, that was not the Davis Cup. Wilander,in transit, talks of India’s “great tradition”, and of the Krishnans, Amritrajs, Paes, Bhupathi. players who made great teams.” Because Indians are “good thinkers of the game.” This time around it will be “tough” for Sweden, he feels. “Playing away is always a pressure, the crowds I know are passionate. His team, Wilander feels, “is fairly experienced.” Preparation-wise there hasn’t been much really, considering the kind of weather in Sweden this time of the year. But, “it sure is not like the clay court team of last time,” Wilander adds.With 2005 Wimbledon semi-finalist Thomas Johansson and Johnas Bjorkman, the World No. 1 doubles player, in their ranks, Wilander reveals that “it’s a pity not to have Joachim Johannson, who recently underwent a shoulder surgery and is out for six months.” Bjorkman and Johansson reach New Delhi from China. This, says Wilander, was “a good familiarisation outing for the guys,” considering the adjustments needed to be made when playing in Asia. The soft-spoken Swede says the match of the tournament will be the doubles. “Paes and Bhupathi are a wonder pair, and with Bjorkman quite easily gelling with Simon Aspilen or Johannson a great match is on cards.” Having won the Wimbledon men’s doubles, Wilander still has heart in that aspect of tennis. “It’s crucial, and not many can master it in Davis Cup it sure keeps the match live going into the third day.” Paes, Bhupathi favourites in doubles: BjorkmanNEW DELHI: Swedish Grand Slam champion Jonas Bjorkman today said India’s electric colbination of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would be the favourite to win the crucial doubles tie when the two teams clash in the Davis Cup World Group playoff next week. Bjorkman, who has been the backbone of the Swedish Davis Cup team for nearly a decade, said it would be an interesting match up since both the set of players were aware of each other’s game. ‘‘We know our games well after playing against and togather, so it is not going to be any surprises for any of us going into that (doubles) match. They (Paes and Bhupathi) would be the big favourite to win,’’ the 33-year-old said.
