April 10, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 3, 1429

NEW DELHI, April 9: India are looking to put aside their internal squabbles as they prepare for Friday’s Davis Cup tie against Japan that will lift the winner into the world group play-offs.

The Indians were rocked by a players’ revolt against captain Leander Paes during the previous Cup tie against Uzbekistan in February, forcing tennis chiefs to step in and impose a temporary truce.

Paes was retained captain for the Japan tie and officials persuaded team members Prakash Amritraj, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi to play, saying the matter would be resolved after the Beijing Olympics.

The controversy erupted when Paes decided not to field Amritraj for the opening singles against Uzbekistan and questioned his fitness and commitment, although the player said he was fit to play.

Amritraj, son of former India Davis Cup star Vijay Amritraj, eventually figured in the decisive reverse singles on the final day to script his team’s 3-2 victory.

India’s two singles players will be revealed during Thursday’s draw with Paes himself a strong contender alongside Amritraj and Bopanna.

“The boys are in good shape and look forward to the tie,” said Paes, 34, who holds a creditable 48-21 record in Cup singles but plays only doubles on the international circuit.

India, who have won all their seven home ties against Japan since 1961, last played in the elite 16-nation world group in 1998 and have not appeared in the play-offs since 2005.

The Japanese have placed their faith in 18-year-old Cup debutant Kei Nishikori, ranked 120 in the world and who won his first ATP tie in Delray

Beach in February beating American James Blake in the

final.—AFP