JOIN USIt is fair to say that Serbia's Dusan Lajovic, ranked 61st in the world, has had a very good year in terms of performances.
After failing in the qualifiers of all four Slams two years running, Lajovic progressed to the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year before embarking on a French Open run which saw him face eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
That, he concedes, was one of the biggest moments in his career so far.
"Getting a chance to play against Rafa at Phillippe Chatrier was one of the biggest moments in my career," he says with a smile on his face.
"Even though I did well, I didn't have many chances against him. However, I was happy to get that bit of experience playing against a guy who has won so many matches there. It was incredible."
While Lajovic lost the match 1-6, 2-6, 1-6, his rankings continued to rise. Interestingly, that wasn't the end of the Serbian's association with Nadal.
"I practiced with Nadal for two days (in the first week of August in Majorca) and it was an incredible experience," he says. "Seeing the way he plays, you realise why he is the best."
The 24-year-old, who lost 3-6, 1-6, 1-6 in the decisive fifth rubber against Radek Stepanek in the Davis Cup final last year, says that he has not played Yuki Bhambri at all (Bhambri and Lajovic will kickstart the World Group play-off tie). "I have never played him but I know that he is very young and so it will be a tough match and I will have to play well to win."
The Indian contingent said on Wednesday that the absence of a practice court could be a problem as the one who plays the second match on the opening day will have to warm up very early. But Lajovic, who brushed aside that problem, suggested that the Indians were indulging in some mind games.
"On the day of the tie, I usually warm up very early so I don't see that as a problem.
"Maybe the Indians are playing mind games. I don't know if they are trying to distract us but we have to keep our heads calm," he quips.
While World No 1 Novak Djokovic isn't here physically, Lajovic revealed that the whole team has been constantly talking to him. "The whole team is in touch with him and his support is always with us. Him not being here is something we understand and we are sure he will join the team whenever he can in the future."
In the absence of senior statesman Djokovic, the injured Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki, who has just come out of a 12-month ban for missing a dope test, the mantle of taking the lead falls on Lajovic's shoulders. But given his rise in the last 12 months, you wouldn't want to bet against him.