Leander is set to leave for Moscow on Tuesday for India’s Davis Cup tie against Russia. India will have to battle chilly weather conditions in Moscow.
Leander Paes was seen in a different avatar on the cover of GQ India and was present at the launch of the March edition of the magazine on Monday. Leander is set to leave for Moscow on Tuesday for India’s Davis Cup tie against Russia. India will have to battle chilly weather conditions in Moscow.
Some respite for India could be the absence of world No 6 Nikolay Davydenko who may not be fit for the tie. Asked if Davydenko’s withdrawal is an advantage for India, Paes said, “Russia has an amazing amount of depth and even if Davydenko is out, their depth is phenomenal.”
The Indian squad comprises Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sanam Singh besides Paes. When asked about Somdev, who has had a good run last week, Leander said, “Som is a great player and he can do well for us.
We are the underdogs for sure but then again as we have seen in Davis Cup before rankings don’t matter at all.” On whether he would play singles if necessary, Paes said, “I’ll play singles if chosen by the captain.” India start their campaign against Russia on March 5. Wife Rhea Pillai and daughter Aiyana are also traveling along with Paes for the tie.
Meanwhile, injured Davydenko has only an outside chance of playing for Russia in this week’s Davis Cup first-round tie against India, team captain Shamil Tarpishchev said on Tuesday. “His participation is in doubt,” Tarpishchev told reporters in Moscow. “I would say his chances are very, very small.”
Tarpishchev has added 38th-ranked Igor Andreev to the team of world number 13 Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili for the March 5-7 tie. —with agencies
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