World No 107 Yuki Bhambri has pulled out of India’s Davis Cup tie against China next month because of a minor abdominal tissue tear. The 25-year-old was beaten by Jack Sock in the second round of the Miami Open on Saturday but it still isn’t clear whether Bhambri’s injury was sustained in that match. Bhambri has been playing on the circuit non-stop since the Maharashtra Open in January.
The Indian selection committee has picked world No 246 Prajnesh Gunneswaran as Bhambri’s replacement in the Davis Cup squad, on the basis of being the country’s next best ranked player. The other singles players in the squad include Ramkumar Ramanathan (rank 136) and Sumit Nagal (rank 218). Rohan Bopanna (rank 20) and Leander Paes (rank 45) are the doubles players in the squad.
India and China will face off in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 second-round tie at Tianjin on April 6-7. India will head to China with a 3-0 head-to-head lead although their last clash was in 2005. The Indians had lost to hosts Canada 2-3 in the World Group play-offs in September last year and got a first-round bye in the Asia/Oceania Group 1.
Bhambri’s absence will be a huge loss for India as he has been in good form of late. He registered the biggest win of his career recently, shocking world No 12 Lucas Pouille in the second round of Indian Wells Masters. Bhambri lost in the next round to Sam Querrey in three sets and then qualified for the main draw of the Miami Open as well. He lost to Sock 3-6, 6-7 in the second round.
With inputs from PTI
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