AITA should help Somdev

Here is a very interesting article from the Telegraph written by Naresh Kumar. Writing on the present state of Indian Tennis he goes on to say

“Victory against Romania in Bucharest in the recent Davis Cup tie would have taken India to the dizzy heights of the elite World Group of 16. The 1-4 loss pushed us back to the Asia Oceania Group I.

Paes and Bhupathi continued their winning spree, and notched up the lone face-saving match. While knocking out the opposition, their sparring with each other continues unabated. In fact, very sadly, with the infighting that’s going on in the Davis Cup team, it should not be called a team at all.

The “magic carpet” of grasscourts has transported India to unrealistic levels in the Davis Cup. Grass, with low uneven bounce, the heat and vociferous drum-beating supporters with Delhi belly lurking in the background, is a lethal cocktail dreaded by foreign teams. “

The rest of the article is available here

Indian Tennis– What next in the Play offs

Its been a long time since India has been in the World Group of the Davis Cup. India has a chance of making it to the final round of the Davis Cup only if they play well in the play offs. But looking at the way the team is performing I am sure they wouldnt cross the first hurdle. I am not taking away credit from them for their victories. But its been ages since India last entered the World Group of Davis Cup , to be precise nearly 10 years now. The last time they entered the World Group was in 1998 and they lost to Italy 4-1. Italy went on to play in the finals of the Davis Cup, but ended as runners up to Sweden.

I can only cry at the plunge Indian Tennis has taken in the last ten years or so. While players like Lee and Hesh have done themselves a world of good in Doubles Tennis, our performance has been at the best mediocre in the Davis Cups..

Lets to cheer to our Tennis players for making it to the Playoffs.. I wish they play well and go on into the World Group and maybe the finals of Davis Cup…

India lose the reverse singles.

Well, it had all the makes of a Bollywood potboiler, first there was the revolt, then the get together, then a show of togetherness and ultimately a win. Not to be out done, there was a mutiny again. If you thought this was a plot of a bollywood movie, think again. This is what is happening with Indian Tennis. That was the story line of the way Indian Tennis Team played at the Davis Cup tie against Japan.

First there was a revolt against Paes, then the sham of a get together, then 3 wins. Suddenly the single’s specialists Rohan Boppanna and Prakash Amritraj pulled out of the reverse single citing injuries. Isnt that strange considering that just 2 days ago they played tennis under the most trying circumstances. Whatever the differences they might have had, it is appropriate that they realise that playing for the country is of utmost importance than their individual squabbles.

The net result was, Mahesh and Paes come out to play the singles and promptly lost them i.e India lost the reverse singles. It was a quick affair and it was all over, Hesh lost it in under an hour and Paes too followed suit.

Either way , these 2 rubbers were dead rubbers anyway…but the point lies elsewhere

Rohan gives India a 1-0 lead against Japan

Rohan Bopanna gave India the start it needed. He beat Japanese Kei Nishikori in a three hour 5 setter, which probably sapped Nishikori off his energy. The final score read 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3

Here is a link that will give you more details

http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/apr/11davis.htm

Later in the day Prakash Amritraj is due to play Go Soeda