NEW YORK. Nov 10: Ramesh Krishnan. India's Da vis Cup stalwart, roiled out the welcome mat to Pele Suuipras and Jim Courier on Tuesday, saying he hoped the top US players to come to India for next year's first-round Davis Cup match, reports Reuter

"From India's point of view It's a good opportunity to get the best players to come and play in India, and I hope Pete and Jim would make the trip." Krishnan said In a telephone in tervlew with reporters from his residence in Largo. Florida.

India hosts the United Stales 4n the World Group first round 'match March 25-27 It will be the first US visit to India for Davis Cup since a winning trip to Bombay In 1963.

Sampras Is the world's top-ranked player and the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion Courier is number two and won his second con secutive Australian open title In January and was a finalist at

both the French and Wimbledon this year.

"I think the US is the strongest team In the draw and we are probably one of the weaker teams so we have nothing to lose." said Krishnan, who is ranked 296 but helped India make a surprising run to the Davis Cup semifinals last year

“Even if they do send somebody else (than Sampras or Courier) America has enough good players to come and beat us

"Overall for tennis in India. I think it would be nice that people would see Jim and Pete Those are the names people are more familiar with "

Krishnan. 32. restricted much of his playing schedule to second tier or challenger tournaments this season. His expected Davis Cup teammate Leander Paes is ranked 181.

There has been speculation India would break from Its pat tern of hosting Cup matches on grass by choosing clay Krishnan said it wouldn't mat ter what surface was chosen

"I don't think the surface is going to be a big factor because whether we play on grass or clay the US has enough good players to make the trip." said Krishnan.

The executive committee of the All India Tennis Association Is expected to meet In Bombay on November 22 to select a venue. Likely choices are Madras or Bombay with Delhi a possibility, if the decision is to play the match on grass.

Krishnan the son of India's all time Cup star Ramanathan, has been a fixture on the team since 1981 with a won-lost record of 25-22 including a 20-18 mark In singles.

"I think personally you make your money in the regular tournaments and on the tour." said Krishnan, who has won more than 1 million dollars since 1978 "But you make a name for yourself in the Davis Cup matches and that's what catches peoples attention and that's what they remember you