Kolkata: Ashutosh Singh banks on his rich form to cut into the Davis Cup team that will take on Uzbekistan in Delhi in February next year. "I am 25. But I have a feeling that I can make the cut for the Davis Cup. Whoever does well in the Grass Court championship stands a better chance. I am not giving in as yet," he said, after practice at the South Club Tuesday. Later in the day, Ashutosh won his singles match against Kaushik Das of Assam 6-1, 6-1 continuing with his form. "This has clearly been my best year. I was selected to represent the country in the India-Pakistan series and played in the Futures and ATP Challengers with reasonable success," the Delhi youth said.

Fifth among Indians on the latest ranking list at 540, Ashutosh has jumped 44 places after making the final of the $10,000 ITF Futures event at Lahore in October. "Earlier, my ranking was around 700. I improved a lot last year, entering the final of three Futures meets. But the memorable one was in Morocco where I defeated Prakash (Amritraj)," he said.

Coming from the family of tennis, the game has been his first love. "My grandfather Jaynarayan was a tennis coach, father Balaram- a Davis cupper and sister Shalini Thakur was a former national tennis champion. It is in my blood. I am passionate about it. It is my love for the game that keeps me going," he said.

Ashutosh want to take part in the Chennai Open after this event and he is well aware that a victory here will fetch him a wild card. "I wish to be there, but it depends on a few other things, other than my wishing for it. I hope I can live up to the expectations," he said. (IANS)