Purav s lack of experience cost India doubles rubber: Ali

Kolkata Sep 17 (IANS) Ace tennis coach Akhtar Ali believes Purav Raja s lack of "big-match" experience proved to be the reason India failed to get the better of Canada in the doubles encounter of the ongoing Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie in Edmonton.

India currently trail 1-2 courtesy the doubles team of Rohan Bopanna and Raja losing to Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil 5-7 5-7 7-5 3-6 earlier on Saturday.

The visitors will now have to win both the reverse singles in order to win the tie.

"It will be tough for India from here " Ali told IANS on the sidelines of the prize distribution ceremony of the Calcutta Hard Court Tennis Tournament here.

"I feel Purav s lack of big-match experience proved to be vital. It was a close game and we fought hard " he said.

In the reverse singles Ramkumar Ramanathan will take on talented teenager Denis Shapovalov while Yuki Bhambri will meet Brayden Schnur.

"Ramkumar is a good player. Let s see. But it will be an uphill task " Ali member of the Indian Davis Cup for a long time said.

Ramkumar had defeated Schnur in a tough four-setter in the opening match of the play-off to give India a 1-0 lead.

The 22-year-old had used his experience to sweep aside Canadian debutant 5-7 7-6(4) 7-5 7-5 in a bitterly fought contest which lasted three hours and 16 minutes.

Asked if Leander Paes dropped by non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi would have made a difference with his wealth of experience Ali said:" I don t think so. This team is good."

Ali was felicitated by the Calcutta South Club executive committee for his enormous contribution toward the club and Indian tennis.

--IANS
dm/pur/dg