Davis Cup tie vs Finland: Sumit Nagal out, Saketh Myneni in for India
Sumit Nagal has been advised to avoid hard courts after he picked up a hip injury at the US Open qualifiers.
Sumit Nagal has pulled out of India’s Davis Cup against Finland. To be played in Espoo on September 17 and 18, Nagal has been hampered by a hip injury.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) naming Saketh Myneni as a replacement.
Nagal, who lost in the first round of the US Open qualifiers last week, has been advised by doctors to avoid playing on hard courts. India’s Davis Cup World Group I tie against Finland will be played on an indoor hard court surface.
The 24-year old Nagal will still be in action elsewhere, though. He is scheduled to participate in the Città di Como Challenger, to be played on outdoor clay courts in Italy this week.
"Sumit Nagal has written to us that he can't play this Davis Cup tie due to a hip injury he sustained after the US Open qualifiers,” AITA secretary-general Anil Dhupar told PTI.
Sumit Nagal is the second-highest ranked Indian in the ATP rankings at 164, just behind Prajnesh Gunneswaran (156).
Two other Indian players Sasikumar Mukund (325) and Sidharth Rawat (558) are both ranked higher than Saketh Myneni (582) but have not been selected for the Finland Davis Cup tie.
Sasikumar Mukund was not available for Davis Cup selection as he had chosen to play the European circuit.
Saketh Myneni was selected ahead of Sidharth Rawat because of his versatility across formats. “Myneni can play both singles and doubles, so he has been added to the squad," Dhupar said.
Saketh Myneni, however, has not played any tournaments since April.
“But I have been training and playing practice matches all these months," said Saketh Myneni.
"I just have to be ready for my chance. I have done it in the past... Overall, I feel good about my game, but the match sharpness may not be at the same level."
Saketh Myneni has previously played six Davis Cup ties for India.
Indian tennis team for Davis Cup tie vs Finland: Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Saketh Myneni, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Rohan Bopanna, Divij Sharan. Rohit Rajpal (non-playing captain), Zeeshan Ali (coach).