By IANS
New Delhi : Whatever the Uzbeks might think about their chances in the upcoming Davis Cup tie against India – starting in the capital Feb 8 -Prakash Amritraj feels that the hosts are overwhelming favourites to win the Asia-Oceania Group I tie.
Prakash’s confidence stems from his own record against top Uzbek singles player Denis Istomin, having beaten him in both their meetings, though the Uzbek is ranked far above the Indian.
“Undoubtedly, we are the favourites to win the tie. We have a very strong team and I have played Istomin twice before and both times I have defeated him,” Prakash told media persons on the sidelines of India’s first training session Friday here at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) complex.
Prakash had a good workout with stand-by player Ashutosh Singh on the newly manicured grass court with coach Nandan Bal taking keen interest.
Though Istomin is 83 rungs above Prakash in the ATP world rankings, the US-based Indian has defeated the 184th ranked Uzbek in a Challenger tie in Vietnam and in a Davis Cup tie two years ago in Jaipur.
“He is a good player and playing good tennis, but at the end of the day we all are playing well. I am not too concerned about his current form,” said Prakash.
Prakash, who like his legendary father Vijay Amritraj prefers to play on grass, came here from China where he was to play in a challenger tie. But he withdrew from the singles event at Guangzhou because of stiffness and extreme cold there.
He, however, played the doubles partnering Mustafa Ghouse. The Indians lost in the first round to the Austrian duo Martin Fischer and Philipp Oswald.
“It was very cold there and I was suffering from a little stiffness. So I had a chat with dad and decided not to risk myself before the Davis Cup tie.
“I think it was a smart move. If it were not for the Davis Cup tie, I would have definitely played.”
On his Australian Open performance, where he lost in the final round of the qualifiers against German Denis Gremelmayr, Prakash said: “Had I got a good start in the final match, the result would have been different. But I must admit the German played well.”
Prakash won his first two qualifying rounds comfortably, beating American Hugo Armando 6-4, 7-5 and then defeating Peter Wessels of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-1.
On the chances of India’s best Davis Cup player Leander Paes playing in the tie, Prakash said Paes might make it as he still had a week to rest his troublesome ankle.
“We are hoping Leander will be fit for the tie. I had a chat with him yesterday and he said he was feeling better. Most probably, he will land here tomorrow,” 24-year-old Prakash said.
On his tournament schedule after the Davis Cup tie, he said: “I will go back to the US and play a few tournaments in Las Vegas and a couple of challengers to kick off the season.”