NEW DELHI -- The Davis Cup world group playoff tie against the United States could be tougher for India because it was postponed from last month, India captain Ramesh Krishnan said on Monday.

India's concern centers around Leander Paes, who has not played any competitive tennis since the end of the U.S. Open on Sept. 9.

The tie, in North Carolina, was originally scheduled for Sept. 21-23 but was rescheduled to Oct. 12-14 after the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11.

"Leander has not been able to plan any events. It was always going to be tough and this (postponement) hasn't changed that," Ramesh told Reuters from the southern city of Madras.

Paes plans to train in Florida before arriving at the venue of the tie on Sunday with the rest of the India squad.

Ramesh added: "It all depends on how he handles himself. He has lot of experience playing the Davis Cup and he will be well rested and keen to go.

"On the other hand, he will be a bit under-prepared."

Ramesh, who was in Washington on the day of the attacks, believes a sense of grief will still surround the tie.

"With all these incidents there will definitely be a tinge of sadness," he said.

Paes has an excellent Davis Cup record, having upset many top-ranked rivals, but the United States, who has won all six of its previous ties against India, is expected to prevail because of their all-round strength.

This includes Don Johnson and Jared Palmer, winners of the the men's doubles at Wimbledon and finalists at the U.S. Open.

India's best hopes rely on the doubles team of Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

A former world No. 1 pair, they won the French Open doubles this year but were eliminated in the first round of the U.S. Open.

India last played a world group match in 1998 when they lost to Italy in Genoa.

The winners of the India-U.S. tie qualify for the 2002 world group, while the losers will compete again in next year's regional rounds.