The Hindu : Sport : Prakash, Harsh to tackle the Chinese

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Friday, Mar 04, 2005

Sport

Sport

Prakash, Harsh to tackle the Chinese

By Kamesh Srinivasan

The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, makes the draw while the AITA president, Yashwant Sinha, looks on. — Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3. He has led from the front all long, and for a change Leander Paes opted to take the backseat, as he put Harsh Mankad and Prakash Amritraj to tackle the Chinese in the singles matches on the opening day of the Asia Oceania group `I' Davis Cup tie against China, beginning at the R.K. Khanna Staadium here on Friday.

The undisputed hero of Indian Davis Cup campaign for the last 15 years, Leander opted to cool his heels, rather his hurt ankle, and watch the fun.

It was a move that was being discussed over the last few days, but it was tough to visualise it actually being put into force, as Leander has featured in 35 ties and has won all his three matches in 16 of those 23 ties that India won.

"I am dying to be out there as it has been my stage, but they deserve it'', said Leander as he viewed his choice as a positive sign.

"I have belief in the boys considering the hard work they have put in and the good results they have got. They have to prove it on Friday'', said Leander.

It may perhaps be an attempt to throw the boys into the deep sea without a lifebelt, leaving them to swim or sink.

It could also be owing to some of the players trying to assert their rights as the No.1 in the team when it came to collecting the cash, purely on the basis of their international singles rank rather than performance in the Davis Cup arena.

Prakash is the No.1 in this team, based on his rank of 357 to Harsh's 359, as the ranking on the date of filing team nominations was kept as the criteria. Harsh has since jumped up to be 301.

"It is going to be a challenge. It will be up to me to make the maximum of the opportunity,'' said the 25-year-old Harsh, playing his first rubber on home soil.

Harsh, whose name was drawn by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the ceremony at his residence this morning, has a 3-10 record in Davis Cup. Two of his wins came against Lebanon in Beirut in 2002 and the third was against James Shortall in a dead rubber in Wellington, New Zealand, the same year.

He is no doubt on a high, having started the season by qualifying for the ATP Tour event in Chennai, but he will be up against a solid professional in Sun Peng in the opener on Friday.

The 21-year-old Sun Peng qualified for the Tour event in Delray Beach and lost in the pre-quarterfinals against Ramon Delgado of Paraguay in three sets. The Chinese captain Xie Zhao said that he was not surprised about Leander opting out of the singles on the opening day.

Mahesh Bhupathi observed that it was a great opportunity for both Harsh and Prakash.

"Everyone is looking for someone to take over the load. It is hard for Leander to carry on the load for three days in a row. They are going to do very well,'' Mahesh said.

Prakash said that he would be ready to perform in the second singles against Wang Yu Jr., and that he was feeling great about playing a tie at home on grass.

"I have played a couple of ties abroad, but am feeling more ready for this tie,'' said the 21-year-old Prakash.

Wang Yu Jr., who has a 3-9 record in Davis Cup, said that he had not played Prakash, but that the fourth member Lu Hao had done so.

It may be an interesting situation and the boys may get toughened for the future contests, but Davis Cup at home without Leander Paes would be a weird experience for those who reach the stadium on Friday. Of course, Leander will be in the captain's chair, trying to push Harsh and Prakash to their best performance.

Leander will be able to replace anyone on the third day. He can still change a player tomorrow on fitness grounds, but that may be a disadvantage for the team as that player would not be eligible to play the rest of the tie as per the rules explained by referee Nao Kawatei.

The draw

The draw of India's Davis Cup matches against China.

March 4: Harsh Mankad vs Sun Peng (10 a.m.); Prakash Amritraj vs Wang Yu Jr.

March 5: Leander Paes/Mahesh Bhupathi vs Wang Yu Jr./Zhu Ben-Qiang (12 noon).

March 6: Prakash Amritraj v Sun Peng (10 a.m.); Harsh Mankad vs Wang Yu Jr.

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