Davis Cup delay could affect Paes

The Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against the United States could be tougher for India because it was postponed from last month, India captain Ramesh Krishnan said on Monday.

India's concern centres around Leander Paes, who has not played any competitive tennis since the end of the U.S. Open on September 9.

The tie, in North Carolina, was originally scheduled for September 21-23 but was put back to October 12-14 after the attacks on the United States on September 11.

"Leander has not been able to plan any events. It was always going to be tough and this (postponement) hasn't changed that," Ramesh said.

Paes now plans to train in Florida before arriving at the venue of the tie on Sunday with the rest of the India squad.

Ramesh added: "It all depends on how he handles himself. He has lot of experience playing the Davis Cup and he will be well rested and keen to go.

"On the other hand, he will be a bit under-prepared."

Ramesh, who was in Washington on the day of the attacks, believes a sense of grief will still surround the tie.

"With all these incidents there will definitely be a tinge of sadness," he said.

United States, who have won all six of their previous ties against India, start as favourites again.

Paes has an excellent Davis Cup record, having upset many top-ranked rivals, but the hosts are expected to prevail because of their all-round strength.

This includes Don Johnson and Jared Palmer, winners of the men's doubles at Wimbledon and finalists at the U.S. Open.

India's best hopes rely on the doubles team of Pes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

A former world number one pair, they won the French Open doubles this year but were eliminated in the first round of the U.S. Open.

India last played a World Group match in 1998 when they lost to Italy in Genoa.

The winners of the India-U.S. tie qualify for the 2002 world group, while the losers will compete again in next year's regional rounds.