Davis Cup 2016: India to play Spain in playoffs
The Indian tennis side, who cruised to the World Group Playoff stage at the Davis Cup with a victory over South Korea, will play Spain in their first Playoff stage match, it has emerged after the ITF or the International Tennis Federation revealed the draws yesterday.
India beat Korea 4-1 in their Davis Cup rubber in Chandigarh, with two injuries in the singles for Korea’s players resulting in retirement wins for both Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan.
The pair played for the team in the absence of Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman, who are both currently recuperating from their respective injuries. Devvarman was instrumental in India’s Davis Cup performances last year, meaning that the team will hope to see him return to fitness soon.
Doubles icons Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna partnered each other in the doubles tie, taking a convincing victory against Korea’s doubles side, a positive development ahead of the pair’s partnership at Rio 2016.
The tie, which will be a home one for India, will be held from 16th to 18th September this year, and India, as the hosts, will be given their choice of surface for the event.
Spain, considered one of the strongest nations in world tennis, will see Roberto Bautista Agut, Feliciano Lopez, doubles specialist Marc Lopez, and Pablo Carrena Busta on the team. Fans who were hoping to see Rafael Nadal play in the tie will likely be disappointed, with the World No. 4 sitting out a number of tournaments this year due to injury – including Grand Slams. The Mallorca-born great will not be a part of the side headed to India.