India to meet China in Davis Cup

India has been drawn to meet China in the Davis Cup first round of the Asia-Oceania Group I zonal rubber to be played in Beijing from February 9 to 11, 2001.

Former finalists India, who lost to Sweden in the play-off for the 2001 World Group in July this year, have been forced to play in the zonals for third straight year.

The two countries last met in Calcutta, in April 1999, and India handed China a 5-0 thrashing to stay afloat in Group I of the zonals.

The three-day rubber will be played indoors, on hardcourt and under floodlights as the temperature outside would be 7-8 degrees centigrade, the Chinese Tennis Assocaition said.

In a message to the International Tennis Federation, the Chinese body has said the East University City Sports Centre near Beijing, has been selected as the venue.

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, currently playing in the ATP World doubles tournament in Bangalore, with Ramesh Krishnan as non-playing captain, are expected to spearhead the Indian challenge.