Bal confident of winning Davis tie

Davis Cup team coach Nandan Bal on Friday expressed confidence of India beating Japan in the second round Asia-Oceania Davis Cup tie, which will be played in Tokyo, from April 6 to 8.

The former National champion, who guided the team to a 3-2 victory in the first round match in Beijing, told newsmen in Bombay his boys are shaping up well and looking forward to the clash.

"The boys had a nice practice session the last few days. They are fully fit and raring to go," he said.

The team, comprising Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Syed Fazaluddin and Harsh Mankad, had a two-day work-out under physical trainer Sanjay Singh.

Despite the Japanese having players ranked inside 200 in the squad, Bal is unfazed. "Though they have two players -- Motamura and Suzuki -- ranked inside 200 on the ATP list, we can beat them. We had beaten them in our earlier outings and this time will be no different," he said, hastening to add that playing any country at home is "always tough".

Bal felt the Japanese climate, unlike the extreme cold the team experienced at China, would not be much of problem as it would not be that cold and both Paes and Bhupathi have played before in Tokyo.

The team will be joined by non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan on Saturday morning and leave for Japan in the afternoon.

Sanjay Singh, who also personal trainer to both Paes and Bhupathi, said there is no injury worry and the boys are absolutely fit.

Queried about Bhupathi's fitness, Singh said the doubles ace is showing a lot of commitment and is ready to take on the Japanese challenge, "physically and mentally".

"Both Leander and Mahesh are playing solid tennis, and I must say they will again reach the top by next year," he added.