We are no pushovers, can upset Russia: Somdev

There is no comparison as far as ranking is concerned between the players of the two teams as India do not have a single top-100 players while the hosts have world number 13 Mikhail Youzhny and number 38 Igor Andreev in their ranks.

Teimuraz Gabashvili is Russia's lowest ranked player at number 109 and India's top player Somdev is at 128.

"They're all going to be tough opponents. I am focussing on preparation for myself rather than worrying about the other guys right now. I feel like if I am playing well I'll be a tough guy to beat, so I'm trying to get best prepared for the tie," Somdev said.

"We're obviously in this to win it. there's no doubt that they're the favourites but we've all seen upsets in Davis Cup before and our team is very capable of making that happen," said the wiry youngster with a penchant for stunning top players with his never-say-die spirit.
Russia would miss world number six Nikolay Davydenko in the tie but even that doesn't make India's job easy.

"Not really. It definitely helps us that he's not playing but the guys they have as back up are very very good and we'll have to bring our A game to stand a chance to win," he said.
The tie will be played on slow indoor courts and Somdev says the team is comfortable with the conditions.

"It's quite cold but the tie is being played indoors where it's really nice. We're all quite used to playing indoors on tour and we've also had a few really good days of practice so we're ready for some good matches," he said.