Davis Cup: Bhupathi opts out; Yuki, Sanam get nod

Top doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi has opted out of India's Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan next month to allow tour partner Rohan Bopanna pair with Leander Paes, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced on Tuesday.

India take on Uzbekistan in the Asia/Oceania Group I zone tie next month.

AITA said that since Davis Cup captain S P Misra wanted two singles players, the selection committee was to choose two doubles specialists from among Paes, Bhupathi and Bopanna.

AITA Secretary Anil Khanna said that Bhupathi himself felt that Bopanna and Paes are the best choice since both are playing well on the circuit and Bopanna also had the ability to play singles, if required.

The committee did not consider injured Somdev Devvarman and included talented youngsters Yuki Bhambri and Sanam Singh.

Both Yuki and Sanam are in good touch.

Vishnu Vardhan, who made his debut in India's last tie against Japan, has been named as reserve player.

According to AITA, in its Tennis Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting, held on January 12, captain Misra had given a report on the previous Davis Cup tie in Japan which India lost 4-1.

"He stated that Somdev injured himself after the first singles and could not play the reverse singles. Rohan played two singles and doubles match. Since Leander had not traveled to Japan because of the injury sustained during US Open, Vishnu Vardhan, who was the fourth member of the team, played the reverse singles in place of Somdev.

"Mr Misra had, therefore, desired that the Davis Cup team should consist of 2 singles players, Rohan Bopanna who is also a doubles specialist, could also pay singles if required, and one more doubles specialist. This view of the Captain was unanimously agreed to by the members of the TAC," AITA said.

AITA further quoted Bhupathi as saying that, "he is always available to play for India in Davis Cup matches, as well as for the Olympics. Mahesh has stated that seeing the current situation it will be appropriate to select Leander and Rohan as Leander has recently won the Australian Open and Rohan besides being a great doubles player is also currently ranked No. 8 in the world and is capable of playing singles, if required. The selfless opinion of Mahesh was deeply appreciated by the Selection Committee."

The team for the Davis Cup Tie: 1. Leander Paes; 2. Rohan Bopanna; 3. Yuki Bhambri; 4. Sanam Singh; 5. Vishnu Vardhan (Reserve); Captain:  S P Misra; Coach:  Nandan Bal.