Youth to the fore in crucial tie

Edmonton : India will expect Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan to repeat their recent giant-killing acts against a completely transformed Denis Shapovalov when the team takes on Canada in its fourth straight attempt to qualify for the Davis Cup World Group, here from Friday.

Shapovalov made the world take note of him with his shock win over Rafael Nadal at the Montreal Masters. He then became the youngest player to reach the fourth round of the US Open, only his second Grand Slam. The 18-year-old and world number 51 also scalped Juan Martin del Potro and Jo Wilfred Tsonga in his astonishing rise in world tennis in the last few months.

On the other side, India have their hopes placed on the shoulders of Yuki and Ramkumar, who too created a splash by knocking down Gael Monfils and tennis’ latest hot property Dominic Thiem, respectively.

A lot was expected from the two Indian youngsters since their arrival but injuries to Yuki, ranked 157, and lack of confidence in Ramkumar (ranked 154) has marred their careers. Of late, both Yuki and Ramkumar have shown encouraging results and thus instill hope that they are capable of pulling off a win over the left-handed Shapovalov. 

Yuki has matured as player and shown the mental toughness to sustain pressure of Davis Cup. In his recent wins, Yuki has also shown that he can control the game and overcome nerves when faced with crunch situations.

Ramkumar, with his big serve and ever-improving fitness also gives India confidence. Vasek Pospisil is the other singles player named by Canada. He might be higher-ranked than both the Indians at number 82 but he is coming into the tie after five straight loses on the ATP Tour, the last being in the first round of the US Open. Yuki played against him back in 2014 when he lost to the Canadian in the quarterfinals of the Chennai Open.

But it was Pospisil who had won both his singles when Canada hosted Great Britain in the World Group first round in February this year. Shapovalov had lost both his matches, including the deciding fifth rubber in which he was defaulted for hitting the umpire with a ball. If Yuki and Ramkumar can even get one point on day one, it will make a huge difference to how the tie will shape up for India.

Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni, who recently recovered from a foot injury, make a formidable pairing. On the other side of the net would be the seasoned Daniel Nestor and Pospisil or Bradley Schnur, who is yet to play his debut Davis Cup match.

India last played in the World Group in March 2011 when they were crushed 1-4 by defending champions Serbia.