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India and Brazil have met just twice previously in Davis Cup and are tied 1-1. Their most recent meeting came in the 1991 World Group quarterfinals in Sao Paulo where Brazil won 4-1 on outdoor clay.

India made a long awaited return to the World Group in this year’s first round but lost to Russia 3-2 in Moscow. It is attempting to retain its place in the elite group having earned promotion for the first time since 1998. This is their first tie on home soil since April 2008. 

Having lost in the World Group play-offs for the last four years, Brazil is looking for a change in luck and a promotion to the top flight for the first time since 2003. It defeated Uruguay 5-0 in Bauru to earn its place in the play-offs. Brazil hasn’t won a Davis Cup tie on hard court since 1991 and has only played on the surface eight times in its 62-year history.

Rohan Bopanna faces Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci in the opening rubber on Friday, 17th September in World Group play-off in   Chennai, where he grew up playing tennis and made to the finals of 2009 ATP Chennai Open.

The two players are meeting for the first time and Bellucci goes into the clash as favourite. The world No. 27 is ranked over 450 places higher than his Indian opponent.
If Bellucci does get the visitors off to a flying start, the pressure will be stacked on India's No. 1 Somdev Devvarman in the second rubber when he takes on Ricardo Mello.
In the doubles on Saturday, Leander Paes celebrates his 20 years in Davis Cup by teaming up with Mahesh Bhupathi. The experienced duo meet Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

Full draw is listed below:

Friday, 17th September | Time: 11:30 AM
Rohan Bopanna (IND) v Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)
Somdev Devvarman (IND) v Ricardo Mello (BRA)

Saturday, 18th September | Time: 03:00 PM
Mahesh Bhupathi / Leander Paes (IND) v Marcelo Melo / Bruno Soares (BRA)

Sunday, 19th September | Time: 11:30 AM
Somdev Devvarman (IND) v Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)
Rohan Bopanna (IND) v Ricardo Mello (BRA)

Live Telecast