After a dream run at the US Open, where he made the men's doubles final, Rohan Bopanna on Monday said he is confident of giving India a 1-0 lead if he plays the opening singles rubber of the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Brazil.
Bopanna, who arrived in Chennai on Sunday night from the US, had a light practice session here along with Somdev Devvarman.
"My confidence is high. I got on to the court today itself after a long travel from New York and I was able to hit the ball really good. I have to believe in my game and try and win the first match on Friday," he said.
"This four days of training before the important Davis Cup tie is important and crucial. I will be working on my movements," he added.
India's number singles players Somdev Devvarman said India stand a good chance to get back to World Group although
they are not ready to take the Brazilians lightly.
"Rohan and me have been really doing well. We have come out here five days ahead to get ready for the tie. It is a
good chance for us to get back to World Group by winning against the Brazilians.
"We are focused to win the tie. They are world class players. Rohan is playing with lot more confidence. I would like to say that we have a very good chance but these guys (Brazilians) also cannot be taken for granted," Somdev said.
Bopanna adjustment to conditions would be crucial for the tie due to heat and humidity factor.
"It is one more week on the road for me. I am always ready to work hard. The confidence is there and I am going to
take that forward.
"We are going to work-out together to make sure we can take it from here and save as much energy as possible because
the humidity factor is very high here. I am sure, I should be fine physically," he said. The Coorgi said the tie would be a tough contest but they will have home advantage.
"I have been seeing Brazilian players every week on the circuit. Thomas Bellucci and Ricardo Mello are really good
players. It will be a tough tie for us but it is great to have a home tie after a gap of two years and first time on the hard
court.
"I have great memories of Chennai since playing at the Junior levels and I have won many titles in this city. Aisam
Qureshi and me have lost once in the circuit to the Brazilian doubles pair of Marcelo Belo and Bruno Soares. They are also
really good team. It is going to be an interesting tie," he said.
Talking about the surface for the tie, Boapanna said "Coming from the US Open, I feel the court here is little bit on the slower side. Obviously, it will be a day or two for me to getting used to this court but with the four days practice, I should be fine."
Coach Nandan Bal and non-playing captain S P Mishra said Bopanna's performance will have a bearing on the tie.
Nandal Bal said, "We are facing two left handed Brazilian singles players, who are tough on clay and not too sure
whether they are good on hard courts. We are hoping for the weather to heat up little more and obviously the crowd
support."
"If we are at least one-one on the first day, we are going to be in good shape for winning the tie. The Brazilians, unlike some the countries work as a team back home.
"Most of the countries are considered as scratch teams as they pull together four players for Davis Cup matches. But the
Brazilians work as a team right through the year," he added.
Captain Misra said if Bopanna can repeat his performance of the last two ties, India stand a good chance.
"It is a tough tie but we have the advantage of playing at home and the weather is going to suit us much more. If Rohan Bopanna could give us a good start like what he did in South Africa and Russia it is going to be a positive result
for us," Misra said.
Misra also warned that though Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi make a formidable pair, Brazilians cannot be taken
lightly.
"If we can win both the singles on the first day, that would be dream (start). But one all is also alright since we
depend a lot on Paes and Bhupathi on the second day.
"Of course, it is not going to be a cake walk for Paes and Bhupathi as the Brazilians pair is also strong team. Our boys have to work harder but we have the confidence that on the second day we will go up 2-1 up if not 3-0", he said.
