“Playing Russia will be very, very tough for us. Davydenko is world number six. He has just won the World Masters, beating (Roger) Federer in the final. They have got an amazing depth in their team. But I always felt that the Indian Davis Cup team has the ability to create some wonderful upsets and my Davis Cup record shows that.
“Anything can happen in Davis Cup,” he said. The fact that India will be playing Russians in Russia will only make their challenge more difficult.
“Whether you are playing Russia at home or in Russia it’s a very difficult task. But our boys have done brilliantly well to qualify for the World Group. I am really looking forward to the tie which is less than a month away. To play in tough wintry conditions and see how we do against them. To come away with a win will be magical. We need to focus to go there and do well, taking our strengths to them,” he explained.
While Somdev Devvarman has proved that he has it in him to script big upsets, India will once again bank on the experience of Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. “Yes our experience will matter. We played together for so many years. Our camaraderie is excellent. If both of us are injury free, definitely we are the best team out there,” he stated before adding that the young guys were keeping the veteran duo on its toes.
“Both of us have to be aware that there are a few guys out there who are wonderful doubles players. The way Somdev Devvarman and Sanam Singh did at the Chennai Open and considering Rohan’s (Bopanna) performance, I can say we have some guys right on our heels. We need to keep performing well to keep our place in the team,” he felt. Paes said he was looking forward to meeting the team members ahead of the Russian assignment.
“I will playing in Dubai the week before to prepare for the Davis Cup. I am looking forward to being with them team and preparing for the tie. I have spoken to Somdev and I heard Mahesh has an injury.
“Hope he comes off well before the tie. Then there is young Yuki Bhambri and Sanam Singh who did well in the Chennai Open. We got a good six-man team. Getting into Russia as early as we can would give us chance to prepare in their conditions,” he opined.