Davis Cup 2010: All eyes on Rohan Bopanna in Chennai
The Indian professional tennis player, Rohan Bopanna has the tough task of stopping Thomaz Bellucciz, the twenty seven ranked player in the world in the opening match at the SDAT Stadium Nungambakkam when India host Brazil in the
Davis Cup tennis competition on Friday.
Thomaz, who is famous for his strong forehand along with a devilish serve, will definitely be a strong opponent for the Indian tennis professional who is currently ranked number 479 in the world by the Association of tennis professionals.
However, Bopanna will definitely be hoping to convert his excellent doubles form in the singles at the Davis Cup 2010.
Rohan along with his Pakistani doubles partner, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi successfully managed to make their way into the final round of the year’s final Grand Slam, the United States Open doubles tennis tournament and capture the runners-
up title last week in New York.
The Coorgi, popular for his huge serving, has done well for his side in the Davis Cup singles ties. As far as the ATP rankings are concerned, it does not matter in the Davis Cup and Rohan who is on an all time high after reaching
the U.S Open doubles final at the Flushing Meadows will be hoping to upset his left handed foe, Bellucci on Friday.
"Thomaz is an extremely good player however I have full confidence in my game and form at the moment. Therefore, I am looking forward to carry my doubles form in this singles contest as well and hopefully I can get the first victory
for my country,” said an optimistic Rohan.
Bopanna's game is quite simple. He mostly relies on his volley and serve and usually finishes the point in a hurry. Thomaz’s game on the other hand is the total opposite as he usually extends the points and gives a real tough time
to his opponents on the court.
"In the Davis Cup tennis competition, when one player is fighting on the court he has the support of the entire team as well as the crowd behind him which is such a great thing for the confidence of a player and I hope that this
confidence and support will help him in playing well against Thomaz,” said Leander Paes.
However, confidence alone cannot win clashes, particularly when you are up against a player who is ranked number twenty seven in the world. Rohan along with his team is quite aware of the ranking difference between the two and
are likely to make a game strategy likewise.
In other news, Somdev Devvarman will be taking on Ricardo Mello. Mello is ranked number seventy five in the world and is a dangerous left hander, without a question. However, Somdev is also not so bad in picking up his chances
during the match. The top ranked Indian tennis ace is a crowd favourite and will get immense support while playing against Mello on Friday. Moreover, Chennai is also Somdev’s favourite surface therefore he will definitely be hoping to start with a bang.
"Both of us are baseliners and have more or less similar playing styles. And in my view, it is definitely going to be an exciting clash. Whoever manages to start off well is surely going to have an upper hand,” said Devvarman.
Devvarman has being playing on hard surfaces and this is definitely going to comfort Indians. Another aspect that could work for both Rohan as well as Devvarman is the home crowd advantage as crowd backup is an important part of
any match. Moreover, Indian contenders are also quite familiar with the humid and hot conditions in Chennai.
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