Davis Cup: Somdev hopes for strong showing

CHENNAI - It is another homecoming of sorts for Somdev Devvarman, who spent his formative years in this city before hitting the road as a tennis professional, as he knocked the balls about in preparation for the Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against Brazil at the weekend.

“I grew up in Chennai; this is home for me, I lived five minutes from the stadium. Been here a 100 times, really good to see old coaches with whom I share a good relationship,” he said after a practice session on the outside courts of the SDAT Stadium, the venue of the tie and also the ATP Chennai Open that is usually held in the first week of January.

If the authorities thought the Chennai heat would put the Brazilians at a disadvantage, then they were off the mark as the weather has cooled down considerably in the wake of recent rains.

Commenting on the choice of venue, Somdev said: “It is not hot as it is likely to be. I thought it will be pretty hot and everyone is comfortable with the surface (the hard court).”

Typically, Somdev put on a brave front and shrugged off the fact that the Indians would be up against two Brazilians who are higher ranked in singles and both are left-handers.

“(Thomas) Bellucci is 28 ranked and Ricardo Mello is 81. We have to practice and prepare hard. Whether they are leftie or righties, it does not bother us and it is not a particularly huge cause for concern,” he said.

“I know what to expect from these Brazilians. They have the strength in rankings. We have to be on top of our game to beat them. The first serve percentage has to be improved,” he added.

Somdev, who broke into the top-100 this year, said he enjoyed the best summer of his career and gained in experience by playing a lot of higher ranked players. Also, he qualified for the French Open and lost in the first round of the US Open.

“It’s the best summer that I have had so far. I have played a lot of higher ranked players this season, which improves my confidence,” he said.

As regards expectations and pressures of a Davis Cup tie that is to be played on home courts, Somdev said: “We have to be mentally prepared playing for country. I will try as hard as I can and make use of the home advantage. As for doubles, both Leander (Paes) and Mahesh (Bhupathi) are capable of handling any type of pressure.”

When asked about pairing up with Rohan Bopanna for the next month’s Commonwealth Games, Somdev said that although he would like to partner him, his focus was on the singles.

“Bops (Bopanna) has been doing well with Quereshi (of Pakistan) or whoever he has been playing with. But right now we are playing in our own ways. Presently I am concentrating on the singles, but I would love to team up with him sometime (in doubles).”