By IANS,
New Delhi : India’s chances of qualifying for Davis Cup World Group finals received a major setback as injured Leander Paes pulled out of the play-off tie against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Yuki Bhambri,17, who was fifth member of the squad, will now be part of the main team.
The 36-year-old Paes, who won the US Open doubles title with Czech Lukas Dlouhy Sunday, played the entire championship with a bad wrist.
To avoid stress on his troublesome wrist, Paes put pressure on his elbow and shoulder, complicating the matter.
Paes has decided not to travel to South Africa and instead will take treatment in the US.
The big question is who will partner Mahesh Bhupathi in the key doubles.
Bhupathi had played with Rohan Bopanna, who himself is recovering from a dodgy knee. That means Bopanna will have to play on all three days as he is also the second singles player.
Non-playing captain S.P. Misra will have to consider whether Bopanna can physically shoulder such a huge responsibility.
The other option is to make a much fitter Somdev Devvarman play the doubles. India’s No.1 singles player has been playing doubles on and off on the Tour. Yuki can play in the singles only if the tie is decided on the second day itself or India sew it up, winning the first singles on the final day.
All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary general, Anil Khanna in a statement Tuesday confirmed the withdrawal of the veteran Davis Cupper.
“Leander Paes has informed me this morning that his right arm is injured and he will therefore, not be able to be part of the Davis Cup team playing against South Africa from Sep 18-20,” Khanna stated.
The draw for the Davis Cup tie will be held September 16 in Johannesburg. India would be aiming to qualify for World Group after 11 years.