Bopanna withdraws from Davis Cup; Myneni named

The Indian aspirations for the Davis Cup World Group tie against Norway suffered a jolt as World No. 19 doubles star Rohan Bopanna withdrew owing to a knee injury. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary-general Anil Dhupar, already in Norway, stated that Saketh Myneni would be the replacement. Saketh will rush to Lillehammer for the tie to be played on September 16 and 17 on indoor hard court. Saketh has had a very successful season so far, winning half a dozen Challenger doubles titles, most of them with Yuki Bhambri, who is a key member of the squad. Ramkumar Ramanathan, Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Sasikumar Mukund are the other members of the team as recorded in the Davis Cup website. Sumit Nagal was also named in the six-member squad and has already reached Norway. Captain Rohit Rajpal and coach Zeeshan Ali are also in Norway and the team is expected to assemble in strength shortly to get acclimatised to the conditions and prepare in right earnest. Norway has named Casper Ruud, the US Open finalist, who could become the World No. 1 if he wins the Grand Slam in New York. The other members of the team Viktor Durasovic (341), Lukas Hellum Lilleengen (1089), apart from Herman Hoeyeraal and Simen Sunde Bratholm without any world rank, offer hope to the Indian team.