Sports Shorts: 'Anything can happen in new Davis Cup format'

Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Friday

India's number one singles player Prajnesh Gunneswaran on Tuesday said beating formidable sides is a possibility in the new Davis Cup format as he looks forward to cash in on his stupendous form in the Qualifier match against Italy.

Best of three set matches would be played inside two days as 24 teams will lock horns around the world on Friday and Saturday in their bid for the World Group Finals in Madrid in November.

"Honestly, the change in format would not really matter to me. It's a bit more physical if we play five sets and in best of three anything can happen. It's in two days and not three days so I don't really see too much of a difference," Prajnesh told reporters at the Calcutta South Club.

Prajnesh on Monday jumped seven places in the world ranking to be on a career -- high rank of 102 as he attempts to build on a successful 2018 where he won two Challenger titles in four finals and also upset now world number 27 Denis Shapovalov on grass at the Stuttgart Open.

"I've had enough tournaments and over the last couple of years and I've had a very good run in the last six months and I'm looking forward to using the momentum and trying to do as well as possible here," he said.

"I'm just going to approach it like every other match. I focus, prepare for my match and then I try to execute my game plan and don't worry too much about the situation or what's on the line and all of that."

Aiming to break into top-100, Prajnesh said: "I am playing a few few Challengers, first one in China and then there are two in Bangkok so I will be playing those."

Indian coach Zeeshan Ali said Calcutta South Club was slower than they expected.

"There are bad bounces which is normal, the ball is staying low. But also having said that, it is still slower than what we expected," Ali said.

India have chosen grass keeping in mind of the Italians strong advantage over clay or hard courts. But the fact remains that grass is not a familiar surface for both the India and Italy sides.

The hosts checked in about a week prior to get acclimatised to the conditions and Ali said, "In terms of having settled in and gotten more practice on grass, we would be a lot more comfortable."

"But we are playing against a team that has three top 60 players in the world. So we are still very much the underdogs here.

"Our players need to go out there and play their A game to have a chance of upsetting a strong team again, like Italy, so every match is going to be very tough for us, regardless of who's playing for them.

"It doesn't matter whether it's on grass, clay or hard...it was always going to be a difficult for us," he said.

Meanwhile, Tournament referee Wayne McKewen said the grasscourts are in great shape but it's a work in progress in the stands.

Hosting the premier men's tennis event after 16 years, the Calcutta South Club is racing against time as the 2600-capacity makeshift galleries are still being erected with just two days left for the tie.

"I've been told they're going to be completed by Friday. It's always difficult when you come to a venue like this where a lot of the infrastructure is temporary," McKewen, fresh from officiating in the Australian Open, told reporters.   

Zeeshan said the grasscourt appeared to be slow but McKewen said it's just in perfect condition.

"My main concern is the court and it looks in good shape. It's just the stands that are being built that are a work in progress at the moment. I don't see a problem," he said adding that both the teams will get one hour each practice time on the actual court.

He also defended the revamped Davis Cup format.

Indian women's hockey team beats Spain 5-2 in third match

The Indian women's hockey team put up a spirited display to stun World Cup bronze medallists Spain 5-2 in its third match of the tour in Murcia, Spain, on Tuesday.

Young striker from Mizoram, Lalremsiami (17th, 58th minutes) starred with a brace, while Neha Goyal (21st), Navneet Kaur (32nd), Rani Rampal (51st) maintained India's lead after the initial setback in the first quarter.

By virtue of this win, India have managed to level the series at 1-1. After having lost the tour opener 2-3, India held Spain to a 1-1 draw in the second game.

But it was Spain, who scored the first goal in the seventh minute through Berta Bonastre.

A determined India, however, made a quick recovery with striker Lalremsiami's fine goal in the 17th minute and then struck again four minutes later through Neha to take a 2-1 lead.

Navneet struck a splendid third goal for India in the 32nd minute.

Though Bonastre scored her second goal of the match in the 35th minute to narrow down India's lead to 3-2, the visitors kept their nose ahead with strikes at the right time.

Skipper Rani found the net in the 51st minute and then young striker Lalremsiami scored her second goal of the day just two minutes from full time to hand India a convincing 5-2 victory.

"I am pleased with the performance. We are working to be more steady in our performance and we are improving match-by-match. This is a process and we need to keep repeating such performances to grow further," said India's chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.

"I am giving constant feedback on individual performances and behaviours. Overall, we are progressing well and beating a World Cup medal winning side in its home ground is a big confidence boost for this young team," he added.

India will play their fourth match against Spain on Thursday.

Rao assures archers' participation at Worlds will not be affected

The participation of Indian archers at the upcoming World events will not be affected, ensured Federation President BVP Rao amidst fears that India may not be allowed to send entries at the prestigious competitions due to questions over validity of the recent AAI elections.

The Sports Ministry has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, seeking fresh election of the office-bearers of the Archery Association of India (AAI), contending that the December-elections were not held as per the 2011 National Sports Code.

BVP Rao was elected President of the Association in December last year but World Archery Federation (WAF), the governing body of the game, did not recognise the new body.

However, the WAF, in a relief for the AAI, said it would not impose any ban on it and asked secretary general Tom Dielen to resolve the long-standing issue.

"World Archery is conscious of the interest of archers and will not harm them (archers) in any way. You should focus on practice and competitions" Rao was quoted as in a press release following a meeting with the archers.

The World Body had contended that the constitution, which formed basis of the election, was never formally approved.

Rao also said in the release said he is confident of resolving all the issues with the World Archery, IOA, Sports Ministry and the Apex court.

Rao also announced that the top 16 archers from each category will be put in an initial one-month coaching camp, which will begin from February 5.

He also said the senior nationals will be held in Bhubaneswar from March 9 and will be followed by trials for four World Cups and World Championships.

"The Indian team for the World Championships, to be held in June will be declared well in advance as this is the first and the biggest qualifier event for the Olympic Games 2020," Rao said.