CHENNAI: Will Leander Paes get another opportunity to break Nicola Pietrangeli’s record? That seems to be the question on everyone’s mind as the All India Tennis Association selection committee meets in New Delhi on Monday to pick a six-member Davis Cup squad. The Asia/Oceania Zone Group I second round tie against Uzbekistan will be held in Bengaluru from April 7 to 9. A record-breaking 43rd doubles victory eluded Paes versus Spain in September last year and New Zealand in February this season. The winner of 18 Grand Slam titles and veteran of 55 Davis Cup ties hasn’t won an ATP-level title since January 2015.
As of February 27, he’s the fourth-ranked Indian behind Rohan Bopanna, Divij Sharan and Purav Raja. Can the selection committee pick Paes over the trio? Another reason to think his time’s up is the new captain. Many have wondered if Mahesh Bhupathi, in his first tie, will offer his frenemy an olive branch. But it’s not that simple, there are many variables to consider. True to form, the 12-time Major winner continues to keep the cards close to his chest. “Most of them (players) are busy playing Challengers or tournaments in the US and China but I’m in touch with them. I want the players to be fully fit. In time, I’ll tackle it (fitness issue), but change doesn’t happen overnight. It’ll take some time, but I’ll figure it out,” Bhupathi told Express. The assumption that Denis Istomin, who beat defending champion Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, will play on all days makes the task onerous. AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee has more bad news — Saketh Myneni and Sumit Nagal have ruled themselves out.
“They’re undergoing injury rehab. Ramkumar (Ramanathan), Yuki (Bhambri), Prajnesh (Gunneswaran), Rohan, Divij, Purav, Leander and Jeevan (Nedunchezhiyan) have made themselves available,” Chatterjee stated. “The line-up will be composed of three singles guys and one doubles representative because Mahesh and coach Zeeshan (Ali) want that. It’s prudent to follow the same game plan, in case someone gets injured since there are four singles matches.” But fate, it seems, might throw Paes another lifeline. The unavailability of Myneni, who hasn’t recovered from injury, means he could still be in the final squad when it’s announced two weeks before the tie. In fact, a source in the know thinks it’s imperative to pick him. “If Saketh is out, the ‘three singles players’ theory should be reviewed.
The squad should be Ram, Yuki, Rohan and Leander. If there’s an injury, Rohan can play singles. Let’s be clear, the doubles rubber is crucial and we need to select the best team,” the source opined. “I don’t think a greenhorn like Prajnesh is an option this time around. Even other doubles exponents don’t have the experience. It looks like the Uzbeks are going to play Istomin on all three days. The guy beat Djokovic... It would be foolhardy to assume he won’t win both singles matches.” It remains to be seen if the selection committee includes one or more doubles players. It’s not going to be an easy decision.
rohan@newindianexpress.com