Ramkumar to play Seppi in opening rubber, Italy keep Marco out of singles

Country's second-ranked player Ramkumar Ramanathan will open India's campaign against Andreas Seppi in the first singles match of their Davis Cup qualifier against Italy, starting here on Friday.

India's number one player Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who achieved career-high 102 ranking recently, has been drawn against 22-year-old debutant Matteo Berrettini in the second singles rubber at the Calcutta South Club grass courts.

In a bold decision during Thursday's official draw, Italy's non-playing captain Corrado Barazzutti has kept their top-ranked player, world no. 19 Marco Cecchinato out of the singles main draw.

"I thought that's the best decision in this case," the 1976 Davis Cup winner said of his combination, keeping an eye on the surprise element in grass.

Excited to make his debut, Berrettini, who is the youngest member of the side said: "It will be tough. But we are ready for the challenge. I'm excited."