India-Romania Davis Cup play-off tie starts Friday

New Delhi: Davis Cup play-off tie between India and Romania starts Friday in Bucharest.

In the first singles match on Friday Prakash Amritraj will take on Victor Crivoi, who is ranked 158 in the world while Somdev Devvarman takes on Romanian No. 1 Victor Hanescu, ranked 67 in the world in the second singles.

On Saturday, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will start as favourites against Cruciat and Tecau in the doubles match.

After having defeated Uzbekistan and Japan to reach the doorstep of the world's elite in tennis, India face a daunting task ahead.

Off the courts it's well know that Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes don't see eye to eye, but all that will have to be put aside when they step onto the red clay in Romania.

"We are a bit of a wild card. We are in the qualifying round and its bit exciting and an opportunity to get into the World Group. i don't think there is any pressure on us. We just have to go and give it a good shot," says Bhupathi.

One positive for India heading into the tie will be Paes' form. He set the hard courts on fire at the Flushing Meadows winning the mixed doubles tie with Cara Black of Zimbabwe.

So a good show is expected from him on red clay in the doubles and if needed even as a singles player.

"I am happy that I am in good nick, I am in good form coming in from US Open. Just a couple of days of rest and trying to heal the body and to replenish the body and my energy," says Paes

But the man who may well hold the key to this tie will be the youngest member in the squad - 23-year-old Somdev Devvarman.

He has been in Romania for the last few weeks; playing tournaments to get used to the conditions.

Somdev was preferred to the more experienced Rohan Bopanna but his teammates believe he has the talent to pull of a miracle.

"The way his game is structured, I think he can really do very well on clay. He has as good a shot as anyone," Bhupathi adds.

Viktor Hanescu may be the only Romanian in the top 100, but India start as underdogs for the Romania tie.

The surface won't favour them and neither will the weather or the crowds, but with a place in the World Group on the line; expect them to fight all the way.