Chance for Leander Paes to break Italian Nicolas record in Pune

Pune will host a Davis Cup tie after 42 years. It will be held on the relaid hardcourts at the Balewadi Sports Complex. Hosts India take on New Zealand in the Asia-Oceania Group I encounter from February 3. Pune last hosted a Davis Cup in 1974 when the Amritraj brothers, Vijay and Anand, guided the hosts to a 3-1 win over USSR at Deccan Gymkhana. The tie against New Zealand assumes greater importance as Leander Paes has a chance to go past Italy’s Nicola Pietrangeli doubles’ record. Both share a 42-12 record on the all-time Davis Cup great list.

Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association secretary Sunder Iyer said: “We had re-laid the hardcourt surface and renovated some facilities in the premises especially for this tie at a cost of around R1.75 crore which was borne by the state government.”