Chennai:
Vice-President of the All India Tennis Association Karti Chidambaram on Saturday hoped that young player Somdev Devvarman would help India retain its place in the Davis Cup World Group when they take on Brazil in the playoff to be held here from September 17-29.
"Somdev considers Chennai his best hunting ground as he had made the final of the ATP Tour event. His preference for the city was instrumental in Chennai hosting the match against Brazil," Chidambaram said.
India have the right to decide the venue and also the timing of their next tie in the Davis Cup. Chennai is hosting a Davis Cup match after a gap of 31 years.
Earlier this season India had lost to Russia 2-3 in the first round of the World Group in Moscow and was forced to take on Brazil in the playoff.
The Latin American country is trying to make the top tier of the prestigious event for the first time since 2003.
The countries have clashed twice before - India had won 3-2 in Kolkata in 1966 and then Brazil had defeated India 4-1 at home.
In Davis Cup, India have finished as finalists on three occasions 1966, 1974 and 1987, while Brazil finished as the semi-finalist twice - in 1992 and 2000.
Chidambaram also hoped that the temperature would help the hosts during the match.
"Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has agreed to do the draw for the matches on September 16 and I do not have to talk about security measures," he said.
Chidambaram said that the AITA has decided to felicitate Olympic medallist Leander Paes for his contribution to the growth of tennis in India. Former Indian Davis Cuppers hailing from the state also have been invited to be present during the match next month.
Last year, Chennai was to have hosted the World Group playoff against Australia, but India got a walkover after the former refused to visit the country, citing security reasons.
Besides Paes and Somdev, India team also comprises Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
Brazil team include Thomaz Bellucci, Ricardo Mello, Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo.
"Somdev considers Chennai his best hunting ground as he had made the final of the ATP Tour event. His preference for the city was instrumental in Chennai hosting the match against Brazil," Chidambaram said.
India have the right to decide the venue and also the timing of their next tie in the Davis Cup. Chennai is hosting a Davis Cup match after a gap of 31 years.
Earlier this season India had lost to Russia 2-3 in the first round of the World Group in Moscow and was forced to take on Brazil in the playoff.
The Latin American country is trying to make the top tier of the prestigious event for the first time since 2003.
The countries have clashed twice before - India had won 3-2 in Kolkata in 1966 and then Brazil had defeated India 4-1 at home.
In Davis Cup, India have finished as finalists on three occasions 1966, 1974 and 1987, while Brazil finished as the semi-finalist twice - in 1992 and 2000.
Chidambaram also hoped that the temperature would help the hosts during the match.
"Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has agreed to do the draw for the matches on September 16 and I do not have to talk about security measures," he said.
Chidambaram said that the AITA has decided to felicitate Olympic medallist Leander Paes for his contribution to the growth of tennis in India. Former Indian Davis Cuppers hailing from the state also have been invited to be present during the match next month.
Last year, Chennai was to have hosted the World Group playoff against Australia, but India got a walkover after the former refused to visit the country, citing security reasons.
Besides Paes and Somdev, India team also comprises Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
Brazil team include Thomaz Bellucci, Ricardo Mello, Bruno Soares and Marcelo Melo.
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