Davis Cup: Italy expect a 'tough' tie against India

KOLKATA: On paper, Italy are a far stronger team than India. Marco Cecchinato, Andreas Seppi and Matteo Berrettini — their top three players — are ranked 19th, 37th and 53rd, respectively, in the ATP list issued on Monday. They have a fourth member — Thomas Fabbiano — who is No. 85, as well as a Grand Slam doubles winner in Simone Bolleli.
Compare these credentials with that of the home team’s — not one player is in the top 100 in singles — and it’s clear why the Italians are being considered to be odds-on favourites for the Davis Cup Qualifier at South Club this weekend.
Corrado Barazzutti, though, was not ready to accept India as the underdogs.
“I’ve seen some of the Indian players on the Tour playing in tournaments. They are a good team, they have very good players… we respect them. Also they are playing at home and on grass. There’s no underdog. I think it will be a tough tie,” Barazzutti said after the team’s first practice session on Monday.
Grass is their least liked surface, but “we have no choice.”
“We have to play on the surface they have chosen, there’s nothing to complain about. We have to practice and get ready for the matches,” quipped the Davis Cup winner who played 32 ties for over 13 years.
The Italian non-playing captain did, however, acknowledge that even in Fabio Fognini’s absence, he has a strong team.
“He has fixed up his schedule and did not come for this tie… We respect his decision. I’m happy with the players I’ve got, it’s a strong team,” he observed before adding that his team has to play with a lot of focus to win the tie and qualify for the November Finals.
Reminded about his players’ superior rankings, the 65-year-old sounded a note of caution.
“In Davis Cup, rankings are important for the team’s confidence and to decide who plays first, who plays second. But when you go out on the court, everything can change because many players play much better than in tournaments… so it’s always very difficult to play for your country.”
A bit slow for Indians’ comfort
The Indians, too, had their first feel of the South Club courts after slogging it out for five days at Calcutta Gymkhana. Divij Sharan, who will pair with Rohan Bopanna in Saturday’s doubles, took a break.
“The courts are a bit slow compared to where we were playing, Hopefully, the centre court will be faster,” said Indian coach Zeeshan Ali.