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Plummeting from 153 to 216 this week following his failure to make the Australian Open main draw,  Danai will take on the 288-ranked Bopanna with a head-to-head record at

one all.

The fifth-seeded, Danai, was the victor in their first meeting in New Delhi in 2003, when the  score was 7-5 6-2, but the Indian serve and volleyer returned the favour in the second qualifying round of the 2006 Chennai Open where he prevailed in three sets 4-6 6-4 6-2.

"He is a very up and down player. On his day he can be tough to beat,'' said Danai, who last week lost in the first round to in-form Vince Spadea in Kaikoloa, Haiwaii.

THE NATION