PTI
New Delhi, Sept 15: Ramkumar Ramanathan will start the proceedings for India when he takes on 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the opening singles on day one of the David Cup World Group play-off match against Spain, here Friday.
The second singles of the tie will be between Saketh Myneni and World No. 13 David Ferrer, according to the draw announced Thursday by the ITF.
On the second day, experienced Leander Paes will pair up with Saketh to face French Open champions Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez. In the reverse singles, it will be Saketh’s turn to clash with Nadal, while Ramanathan will lock horns with Ferrer.
“It’s going to be tough for everybody irrespective of rankings,” stated Rafa after the draw. It’s an important confrontation with both teams wanting to go to the World Group. May be we have better names but India know the conditions well so the home advantage will be with them, so it will be a tough one,” informed Nadal after the draw ceremony.
“We are used to playing in different conditions but here the humidity is higher than even during the seasons. So we need to be fit and with best of five sets in this conditions, it will be hard,” added the World No. 4.
Meanwhile Ramanathan stated that he is excited to play one of the best players of the world. “I am ready to play my heart out,” stated Ramanathan. “I know I am playing one of the best in the world, but it is this factor that is motivating me,” he added.
