Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna is making his final Davis Cup appearance as the World Group II tie between India and Morocco kicks off in Lucknow. Bopanna, currently ranked ninth in doubles, has had an impressive year and recently made history as the oldest player to compete in the Grand Slam final at the US Open. In July, he announced that this would be his last appearance at the Davis Cup.
The Davis Cup, also known as the World Cup of Tennis, is the oldest and most prestigious international men’s tennis team competition, with over 120 years of history. India, with the efforts of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), has made significant strides in the Davis Cup landscape. The tournament features teams from over 135 countries, and India has finished as runner-up on three occasions: 1966, 1974, and 1987.
The India vs. Morocco tie will consist of five encounters: four singles matches and one doubles match. To win the tie, a team must win at least three of these matches. India’s team includes Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, Sasikumar Mukund, Yuki Bhambri, and non-playing captain Rohit Rajpal. Morocco’s team comprises Elliot Benchetrit, Yassine Dlimi, Adam Moundir, and Younes Lalami Laaroussi, with Mehdi Tahiri as the non-playing captain.
The first singles match will be between Sasikumar Mukund and Yassine Dlimi, followed by the second singles match between Sumit Nagal and Adam Moundir. The doubles match will feature Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri teaming up against Elliot Benchetrit and Younes Lalami Laaroussi. The tie will conclude with the third and fourth singles matches, where Sumit Nagal will face Yassine Dlimi, and Sasikumar Mukund will take on Adam Moundir.
Rohan Bopanna, with a Davis Cup record of 22 wins and 27 losses, has been a significant contributor to India’s Davis Cup team since 2002. Sumit Nagal, currently ranked 156th in the world, has impressed with his performance at the Grand Slam tournaments. Yuki Bhambri, the first Indian to win the junior Australian Open title, holds the most successful win-loss record at the Davis Cup among the Indian players. Sasikumar Mukund, who is yet to play a match in the tournament, will be looking to make his mark.
This exciting Davis Cup tie promises thrilling matches as India and Morocco battle it out on the tennis court. Tennis enthusiasts and ardent Indian supporters will be eagerly following the matches at the Vijayant Khand Mini Stadium in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. It will be a bittersweet moment for Indian fans as they witness Rohan Bopanna’s final appearance in the Davis Cup, marking the end of an illustrious career in the prestigious tournament.
