Davis Cup: Delhi to host India vs Spain tie on hard courts in September

New Delhi: India will host five-time champions Spain on the hard courts of Delhi Lawn Tennis Association in the Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie, scheduled for September 16-18. An AITA release quoting its general secretary Bharat Oza stated the Association tried its best to find a suitable grass court venue but September being a monsoon month and prediction of heavy rains severely limited the chances of matches on grass courts. [caption id=“attachment_2930860” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] “In addition requirement of world group ties being quite demanding like creation of 4000 seat stands etc. and the time available for preparation being short it was ultimately decided to have the matches at a venue well equipped for such tie. The tie will therefore be held on the hard courts of Delhi Lawn Tennis Association, Delhi,” the press release stated. India had beaten Korea 4-1 in their Asia/Oceania Group I second round tie while Spain defeated Romania with the same margin in their Europe/Africa zonal tie. India and Spain have locked horns thrice so far in Davis Cup with the European nation leading the head-to-head record 2-1. The last time India played Spain was as far back as 1965 when they lost the away tie 2-3. In the absence of injured Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri, India played with debutant Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni along with doubles legend Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna in Chandigarh. World number 15 Robert Bautista Agut led the Spain’s challenge along with world number 21 Feliciano Lopez. Pablo Carreno Busta (world number 56) and Marc Lopez (world number 19 in doubles) were the other members of the side.