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Davis Cup: Play called off due to rain
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September 24, 2005 12:13 IST
Last Updated: September 24, 2005 15:29 IST

Rain played spoilsport as heavy downpour washed out play on the second day of the Davis Cup World Group qualifier between India and Sweden at the R K Khanna Stadium in New Delhi [Images] on Saturday.

The visitors were 1-0 up after Jonas Bjorkman defeated Prakash Amritraj 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the opening singles and Thomas Johansson was leading Rohan Bopanna 7-6 (7/3), 5-0 in the second set tie-breaker of the second singles when thick drizzle forced play to be suspended on Friday.

That match followed by the crucial doubles rubber was scheduled to be played today. But persistent rain since last night meant resumption was not possible and the players remained locked in their hotel rooms.

The officials expected a restart at 10.00 am IST on Sunday, but with more thunder showers forecast for Sunday, it could turn out to be a wet weekend.

As per Davis Cup regulations, the tie can be extended till Tuesday.

The met department has predicted part-cloudy conditions for the city next week as well.

Should it not be possible to finish the tie by Tuesday, it would be played afresh all over again at a later date to be decided by the Davis Cup committee of International Tennis Federation with mutual consent of the two national federations.

Gregg Turner, of ITF-Event Operations, said every option would be looked at to complete the tie by Tuesday.

That options include moving over to hardcourts but only if the two teams come to an agreement.

In case of the tie being played afresh, the players' commitment on the ATP Tour would be taken into account.

The committee may even decide to hold the tie at a different venue, Turner said, adding that the rules governing such situations are fluid and the mutual agreement of the two teams are paramount.

But should any of the team find the Committee's decision unacceptable, they would have to forfeit the tie.

"At the moment though, we are looking at each day as it comes. We are looking at finishing the tie here, maximum by Tuesday," Turner said.

 



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