HIGHLIGHTS
- 1Delhi to host India-Spain World Group play-off tie
- 2India-Spain tie scheduled will be held September 16-18
- 3Monsoon scuppered any chance of the tie being held on grass courts
India will host five-time champions Spain on the hard courts of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) in the Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie, scheduled for September 16-18.
AITA general secretary Bharat Oza in a press release spoke about India’s preference of playing on a grass court but said that September being a monsoon month and prediction of heavy rains severely limited the chances of matches on grass.
“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 defeated South Korea 4-1 in the Davis Cup Asia\Oceania Group I tie to advance to the World Group play-offs.
India last played in World Group in 2011 when they lost the first round against Serbia. After that, they have lost play-offs twice – against Serbia (in 2014, Bangalore) and Czech Republic (in 2015, New Delhi).
[Source NDTV]
