Jeevan and Sanam join Davis Cup squad as reserve players

New Delhi: The AITA on Friday named Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Sanam Singh as reserve players for next month's Davis Cup tie against Korea in Busan.

Left-handed Jeevan is fourth in the list of highest-ranked Indians at number 321 and is followed by Sanam (368). Incidentally, Jeevan on Friday lost to Sanam in the semi-finals of the ITF Futures tournament in Chennai, though he won the doubles title with partner Vishnu Vardhan.

Both of them were also part of the squad as reserves for the tie against Chinese Taipei in Indore in January-February.

The top three singles players - Somdev Devvarman (78), Yuki Bhambri (146) and Saketh Myneni (297) -- are in the squad as playing members for the April 4-6 tie.

Doubles ace Rohan Bopanna is the fourth member in the team, which will strive to qualify for World Group play-offs.

Ramkumar Ramanathan, who was also part of last Davis Cup tie against Chinese Taipei as special invitee, has not been picked.

Ramkumar had made a sensational start to the season by beating the country's top player Somdev in Chennai Open, but has been struggling since that win.

AITA selection Committee chairman Anil Dhupar said they have chosen the best boys for the job.

"Ramkumar is a bright prospect. He will surely get chances to improve," Dhupar said.