Southpaw Divij Sharan called to help Somdev as team sweats it out

NEW DELHI: The Indian Davis Cup team today sweated it out at the DLTA courts on the eve of the World Group play-off tie against Czech Republic, even as left-handed Divij Sharan was called to have a hit with Somdev Devvarman to help him prepare for his match against southpaw Jiri Vesley.

Vesley is a strong hitter of the ball and Sharan served to Somdev a few yards inside the baseline to give him the angle which is expected to come to him when the tall Czech plays against him tomorrow.

Sharan will be with the team till Saturday evening before leaving for Turkey to play a Challenger.

Leander Paes, meanwhile, continued to hog limelight as he practiced with reserves Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan on court one.

The mood in the team was upbeat as all the players cracked jokes with each other during the session.

Rohan Bopanna also had a long session as he played practice match with Sharan with Myneni and Ramanathan on the other side of the court.

Yuki Bhambri will open Indian's campaign against Lukas Rosol, while Somdev will take on Vesley in the second singles.