We need to be aggressive, says Ramkumar

BENGALURU: Entrusted with the responsibility of leading India's charge following

Yuki Bhambri

's pullout, youngster

Ramkumar Ramanathan

said he was prepared to play a more aggressive brand of tennis against Uzbekistan.

Ranked No. 235 in the world, the lanky pro from Tamil Nadu said the key would be adjusting well to the pacy surface at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association stadium ahead of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I, second round clash over the weekend.

"As always, I'll try my best. We should play a lot of sets and practice well," Ramkumar told reporters ahead of a practice session on Monday. "The courts are fast, like it was in our last match in Pune. The matches can change fast so we need to be alert. We need to play aggressive," he said.

The 22-year-old said doubts over Uzbek star

Denis Istomin

's fitness and delayed travel plans due to tests on his foot would not be a factor affecting the hosts' assessment of the challenge ahead. "Whoever comes or not, it is going to be tough. We need to play to our strengths. Sanjar Fayziev is also good and of course, Farrukh Dustov is an experienced player. So it's going to be a close game," he said.

"I haven't played any of them yet. I've seen Fayziev on tour in Doha. I was supposed to play him in a semifinal once but he pulled out. He's a quick player who played five sets against South Korea's Hyeon Chung. You need to be really good to do that. Let's see what happens," he said.

With Indian captain Mahesh Bhupathi expected to field three singles players and either Rohan Bopanna or Leander Paes as the doubles specialist, Ramkumar said the youngsters were prepared. "We have no thoughts about that. We are always ready," he said, choosing instead to focus on his own role. "There's always pressure to play in any Davis Cup. It's always going to be tough to start but the start is important. We need to get sharp before the tie," he said.

Ramkumar hailed new skipper Bhupathi's early influence on the team. "It's just been a day but Mahesh is a great person. He wants the best for us. It's going to be good. The captain is important. He has played a lot of ties and knows exactly what to do on court and off court. It will help us," he said.

Meanwhile, the Indians minus Paes sweated it out under lights for four hours. The 43-year-old is expected to arrive on Tuesday. Uzbekistan, who were boosted by the addition of Temur Ismailov to the group comprising Fayziev, Dustov and reserve player Jurabek Karimov, held their practice late in the afternoon.