World No. 7 Thomas Johansson and doubles world No. 1 Jonas Bjorkman will spearhead the Swedish Davis Cup challenge against India in the World Group playoff tie at the R.K. Khanna Stadium here from September 23 to 25.According an ITF announcement, the Swedes will be skippered by former world No. 1 Mats Wilander, the non-playing captain. The other memebers of the Swedish team are: Andreas Vinciguerra (ranked No. 433), Simon Aspelin (ranked No. 20 in doubles), while Robert Lindstedt, ranked 702, will be the fifth player.Sweden have played against India four times before — in 1985, 1987, 1996 and 2000, including once in the World Group finals and three times in the finals.The Indian challenge, on the other hand, will be headed by Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Prakash Amritraj and Rohan Bhopanna. The fifth player will be Harsh Mankad.However, Paes and Bhupathi will pair up in the crucial doubles event only to take on the might of Bjorkman and Aspelin, who are expected to give a stiff fight.The R.K. Khanna Stadium, which laid a new grass court for the event is looking lush green and the bounce is expeted to suit the Indians. The Indian players were particularly not happy with the Jai Club courts in Jaipur when they played the Chinese.
