It might be an acid test for the Indian Davis Cup team against world number one Czech Republic in the World Group Play-off tie but Rohan Bopanna is confident that they have it in them to tame the three-time champions.
Addressing the media ahead of the tie, Bopanna spoke with a lot of confidence, which is a result of his consistent showing on the ATP tour where he remains a contender to win big tournaments including Grand Slams.
We have done it in past. Rankings don’t matter (Czech have two top-100 players). Then there is heat, so it depends on which player controls all of it better. We have a great shot at getting back into the World Group.
— Rohan Bopanna
Bopanna and Paes had pulled off a tough match against world number two Serbia, exactly a year back in Bangalore, and he believes that an encore is possible this time around. But he said irrespective of the Czech team combination, they have a tough job at hand.
We don’t know who will play (in doubles). I know maybe Radek will be playing but who will play with him. Whether it is Lukas or Vesely or the other guy (Adam Pavlasek). It’s an experienced team. They are not only in the World Group for such a long time but have also won it twice. We have to play our best tennis.
— Rohan Bopanna
India’s non-playing captain Anand Amritraj says absence of world number six Tomas Berdych has improved India’s chances, plus the searing Delhi heat may make it tough for the visitors.
With Berdych it would have been out of our reach but now I think we have a much better chance. Having said they have a guy in top-50 one on top-100, and Stepanek is there,it is going to be tough. Heat is definitely going to be a big factor, it is going to be 37, 38 in the afternoon. However fit you are, to concentrate for three sets mentally and physically won’t be easy.
— Anand Amritraj
The captain also said that the pressure to win will be more on the Czechs since they are favourites.