India favourites against depleted Chinese Taipei
With the Chinese Taipei participating without their top stars, there shall be no room for complacency when India take them on in their Asia/Oceania Group I tie in the Davis Cup, beginning on Friday.
Without world number 54 Yen-Hsun Lu and Jimmy Wang (154) in the opposition ranks, a victory for the hosts would take them to Korea for the second round, the winner of which will play in World Group play-offs.
Led by Somdev Devvarman, India have a strong singles players in Somdev and Yuki Bhambri who have both of them enjoyed a successful 2013 season.
Yuki will open India’s campaign on Friday in the first singles against Taipei number one player Tsung Hua Yang (216). Somdev, ranked 103, will then clash with Ti Chen (284) in the second singles.
Rohan Bopanna will pair with debutant Saketh Myneni for the doubles tie against Hsien-Yin Peng and Hsin-Han Lee on Saturday and reverse singles will be played on Sunday.
India Squad: Somdev Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri, Rohan Bopanna, Saketh Myneni