India to travel to Japan for World Group play-offs
In what can be termed as a decent draw, India were today pitted against Japan in the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie, to be held from September 16.
India had lost to World Champions Serbia 1-4 in the first round of the elite 16-nation World Group to find itself in the play-offs while Japan thrashed Uzbekistan 4-1 to advance to play-off stage.
The winner of the tie will advance to the World Group while the losing nation will compete in the Asia-Oceania Group I zone. India have an impressive Davis Cup record against Japan as they have beaten the fellow Asian nation 18 times out of 21 meetings so far.
The last time the two nations met was in 2008 when India beat Japan 3-2 in Asia/Oceania Group I semifinals in New Delhi. India's Davis Cup captain S P Misra said they stand a good chance against Japan in the away tie.
"Not a bad draw. Any tie away from home is a tough one but India have the capacity to beat Japan in their own place," Misra told PTI. "Kei Nishikori is their best player. I would not say he is a threat but he is world class player. We have Somdev, who can take him on," he added.
Misra said since it will be winter in Japan in September, the hosts may choose indoor courts for the tie. "I don't know what surface they will choose, but even if it's indoors, we will play well. Against Serbia we did well on indoor courts."
He said there won't be any training camp before the tie and the players are likely to travel to Japan after the US Open.
