Late start for India-Serbia Davis Cup matches

Bangalore, Sep 4: In a departure from tradition, the matches in the India-Serbia Davis Cup tie, at the KSLTA Stadium here Sep 12-14, will have an afternoon start with the doubles tie scheduled to begin at 6.30 p.m. in the evening, the organisers announced here Thursday.

As per the playing schedule, the first day’s programme, that includes two singles matches Sep 12, will commence at 3 p.m. while the doubles the following day will start at 6.30 p.m. The two reverse singles will begin at 4 p.m. on the final day.

Organising secretary Sunder Raju told a media conference that the late start was designed purely for the benefit of the spectators as a full house is expected on each of the three days with World No.1 Novak Djokovic playing.

"The players wanted an early start, but acceded to our request for an afternoon start so that the spectators will benefit," explained Raju.

The draw is scheduled for Sep 11 at the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka government and it will be conducted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, according to Raju.

Meanwhile, the stadium that last hosted a Davis Cup tie in 2013 when India drubbed Indonesia, is receiving a fresh coat of paint and a bit of spring cleaning with a full house expected on all three days.