Advantage India in draw

India No.1 Somdev to take on Indonesia's No.2 in the opening Davis Cup rubber

It was already pretty easy for the Indian side,considering they had drawn one of the weakest countries in the Asia-Oceania zone Indonesia. But things got that much more relaxed in the camp after the draws were picked on Thursday,with Indias top bet set to play the opening rubber against the weak-link in the opposition camp all but ensuring the hosts going one up.

On Friday in Bangalore,the first match Indias number one,Somdev Devvarman,will take on the number two player from Indonesia,Wisnu Adi Nugroho, for the opening rubber. This worked out well for Indias number two,Yuki Bhambri,as well. For in the second singles of the first day,Bhambri,ranked 279th,will take on Indonesias best,Christopher Rungkat,ranked 250th a player that the Indian had consistently beaten,their rankings notwithstanding.

No gamble

Rungkat is not only the best singles player in this camp,but the countrys best ever. Hence,the pressure will be on newbie Wisnu,who despite being ranked almost 900 places below teammate Elbert Sie ranked 888,has been promoted to be the second singles player. But what may seem an inexperienced gamble by Indonesias debutant non-playing captain Hendri Susilo Pramano is in fact a well-thought through move. For there is an interesting story behind nominating the 19-year-old ahead of the more experienced Sie.

Despite his nondescript ranking,it is known that the whole team believe that it is due to Wisnu that Indonesia is in a Group 1 play-off in the first place. For against Thailand last year,Wisnu still a teenager and playing his first ever Cup tie held his own in the crunchiest of situations. With the countries locked 2-2,Wisnu pulled off a miracle by settling the matter in the deciding rubber.

Wisnu really enjoys playing Davis Cup because it gives him a chance to play quality players like Somdev, said Pramano on Thursday. Unlike other tennis professionals,Wisnu doesnt get to travel abroad a lot and this is the only time he can play a top-100 player. He has shown us that he can deliver under pressure.

Another man who has done well against top-100 players is Devvarman. Just this year,the Indian has beaten four of them. Just that record has Wisnu feeling the pinch as he can only hope his opponent will feel the effects of an old knee injury in Bangalore.

I want to show Somdev my game and that players like me can play good tennis too. Even though everyone expects him to win,I know I wont make it easy for him, Wisnu says.

Story continues below this ad

Rungkat too has a similar plan for Bhambri,having been on the weaker end of their head-to-head record.

Close encounters

My matches with Yuki have been close and he has always got the wins but its not impossible to beat him because I know his body is an issue, Rungkat said. My plan will be to be aggressive early and if I can take this to five sets,Ill have the advantage because I am very fit to play that long.

Although Rungkat can pull off playing all three days,their captain will field Sie and David Agung Susanto for the doubles rubber for which India has nominated Sanam Singh alongside Leander Paes. While Singh graciously said we will try to win the doubles point,the senior pro was more forthcoming about improving on his 6-0 record against the Indonesians. I dont have any doubts, Paes said,replying to Singh.

Live: Neo Prime 1 pm