Bopanna gets India Davis Cup call

Big-serving Rohan Bopanna, who impressed on the Indian satellite circuit late last year, was named in the country's Davis Cup squad on Friday alongside experienced duo Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

The uncapped 21-year-old from Karnataka was picked for the Asia-Oceania zonal tie against Lebanon to be played in Beirut next month, an All India Tennis Association official told Reuters.

India, led by the former world number one doubles pair of Paes and Bhupathi, lost 4-1 to the United States in North Carolina last year in a World Group playoff tie.

Bopanna replaces Syed Fazaluddin while Vijay Kannan, who had won the Indian hardcourt nationals last year, was added to the team as a reserve.

Harsh Mankad, who played singles against the United States because of a niggling injury to Bhupathi, retained his place in the squad.

India beat Lebanon 3-2 when the teams last met in Lucknow in 2000.

Squad: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Harsh Mankad, Rohan Bopanna; reserve: Vijay Kannan. Non-playing captain: Ramesh Krishnan.