Davis Cup | Yuki Bhambri pulls out due to injury, Prajnesh Gunneswaran replaces him

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk,SportsCafe Editor

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India suffered a huge injury blow ahead of their Davis Cup tie against China next month as their highest-ranked player, Yuki Bhambri, had to pull out owing to minor abdominal tissue tear. The Indian selection committee has replaced him with Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who is ranked 246 in world rankings.

India have been struggling to get into the World Group since the last four years now after losing to the likes of Serbia, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Canada. And now with their biggest chance ahead of them next month against China, against whom they have a good head-to-head record of 3-0, they will see World No. 107 Bhambri sitting out with an injury. 

Bhambri has been nothing short of excellent of late against some top names. His most recent feat includes beating World No. 12 Lucas Pouille in the second round of Indian Wells Masters. He was impressive in the Miami Open as well, where he defeated the likes of Renzo Olivio and Elias Ymer in the qualifiers, and Mirza Bašić in the Round of 128 before losing to Jack Sock 6-3, 6-7 in the Round of 64.

India haven’t started their Davis Cup campaign good this year either. They lost 2-3 to Canada in the World Group play-offs last year to see a first-round bye. Now, they will play an away tie again in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 second round at Tianjin, which is scheduled to held on April 6-7. 

The other players in the squad include Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sumit Nagal as stalwarts Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna will represent India in the men's doubles. India last played China in Davis Cup back in 2005 and his replacement, Prajnesh, is expected to get them through, who is considered as the second best singles player in India.

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