Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) It came as no surprise that Somdev Devvarman opted for Chennai as the venue for the Davis Cup World Group match against Brazil scheduled for Sep 17-19.
After all, Somdev, ranked 111, grew up here and was a finalist at the 2009 ATP Chennai Open and he felt that the weather conditions next month would be to India’s advantage.
All-India Tennis Federation vice president Karti Chidambaram said: ‘Somdev considers Chennai as his favourite hunting ground as he had made the final of the ATP Tour event. India, as the host country, has the right to decide the venue and timing of the ties and AITA went along with Somdev’s wishes’.
Incidentally, Chennai was to host a Davis Cup World Group playoff tie in May last year against Australia who however, pulled out of the event citing security concerns.
Chidambaram said the singles matches will start from 11.30 a.m. while the doubles tie is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start on the second day.
Besides Somdev, the Indian contingent will include Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, while the Brazilian squad comprises of Tomaz Bellucci and Ricardo Mello, according to Chidambaram.
It will be third meeting between India and Brazil following ties in Kolkata (1966, grass) and Sao Paulo (1991, clay).
Chimbaram said the security issue will not arise as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi has agreed to attend the draw ceremony Sep 16.
