Anand Amritraj Says Paes, Bopanna Add 'Scare Factor' To Davis Cup Squad
Leander Paes to join India's Davis Cup squad on Wednesday for the World Group Playoff against the Czech Republic from September 18-20
Leander Paes, who won the US Open mixed doubles title with Swiss Martina Hingis last week, will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday for the Davis Cup World Group Playoff against the Czech Republic. India's non-playing Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj says the doubles pair of Paes and Rohan Bopanna has a 'scare factor', which will benefit them. (Paes and Hingis win US Open mixed doubles title)
The rest of the squad comprising Yuki Bhambri, Somdev Devvarman and Bopanna is already in national capital, preparing for the September 18-20 clash, winning which the Indian team will qualify for the World Group in 2016.
"Leander is getting here tomorrow morning. He finished in New York only on Sunday; he had to address the press and stuff like that so he is getting here as soon as he can. My suggestion to him was to come on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning," Amritraj said on Tuesday.
"Our team is a little bit stronger with Leander and Rohan in the doubles. They have the 'scare factor'. We have been waiting for his arrival. In the meantime, the others are getting as much practice as possible on the centre court as singles is a huge part of the tie, so that they get their time on the court."
The non-playing captain added that when Paes arrives, he will try and get as much time on the DLTA courts as possible to prepare for the contest.
"When Leander comes, he can work out in the afternoon. The centre court is slightly different from the outside courts. So there is no point hitting on a court that is a lot faster. We will try and maximise our 3-4 hours on the centre court so when he comes, he is going to get used to it," said the 63-year-old Amritraj.
Paes missed India's previous Davis Cup encounter against New Zealand in the Group 1 Asia/Oceania second round. But the 42-year-old is making a comeback.
The World No.1 Czechs have never lost to India in three meetings, although their last tie was back in 1997. Czech Republic have won the Davis Cup twice in 2012 and 2013 and once as Czechoslovakia in 1980.