India to Open Davis Cup Campaign Against Sweden on Saturday
India to Face Sweden in Davis Cup World Group-1 Encounter
Indian tennis star Sriram Balaji will lead the charge for India against Sweden in the Davis Cup World Group-1 encounter, which will be played on indoor hard courts at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm on Saturday. Balaji will open the campaign against Elias Ymer, ranked 238th in the world.
The Indian team, which includes Ramkumar Ramanathan, will rely on the duo to secure the first day’s play. Balaji and Ramanathan were instrumental in India’s 4-0 victory over Pakistan in the World Group play-off earlier this year.
Captain Rohit Rajpal has hinted at repeating the players in singles and doubles, after observing their performance in training. The team will depend on Balaji and Ramanathan to shoulder the doubles rubber against Filip Bergevi and Andre Goransson.
Ramkumar will face Leo Borg, the son of legendary Bjorn Borg, in the second singles on the opening day. Borg, ranked 603rd, may be less experienced than his father, but he has a strong foundation, having been ranked No.12 in the world as a junior.
Sweden has never lost to India in the five ties they have played over the years. In fact, India has managed to win only two rubbers in all. However, the Indian team is determined to break this streak and secure a victory on Swedish soil.
The matches on the first day are scheduled to start from 5.30 p.m. IST, while the second day’s play, which will feature the doubles followed by the two reverse singles matches, will start at 3.30 p.m. IST. Sony Sports will broadcast the matches live for the Indian audience.