[DC]Calleri Carries Argentine Hopes in Minsk

看板Latin_AM作者 (反正我什麼都吃)時間21年前 (2004/04/11 11:48), 編輯推噓0(000)
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Calleri Carries Argentine Hopes in Minsk 08 Apr 2004 The draw for the Belarus v Argentina Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Quarterfinal in Minsk has now been made, and is as follows: Vladimir VOLTCHKOV (BLR) v Agustin CALLERI (ARG) Max MIRNYI (BLR) v Guillermo CANAS (ARG) Max MIRNYI/Vladimir VOLTCHKOV (BLR) v Lucas ARNOLD/Agustin CALLERI (ARG) Max MIRNYI (BLR) v Agustin CALLERI (ARG) Vladimir VOLTCHKOV (BLR) v Guillermo CANAS (ARG) Today the draw for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group quarterfinal tie between Belarus and Argentina took place in the prestigious 500-year-old Minsk Town Hall. "I'd like to thank the organizers for granting us this wonderful building for the draw," commented ITF Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Davis Cup Committee Juan Margets. "I hope you all noticed the large Davis Cup Nations Ranking banner before the entrance to this hall. Both Argentina and Belarus are currently ranked in the top ten, which means that an exceptionally interesting struggle is waiting for us." Referee Norbert Peick conducted the draw alongside representatives from both Federations. The first rubber to take place in the Minsk Football Manege on Friday at 15:00 will be between Belarus픠Vladimir Voltchkov and Agustin Calleri (Argentine No. 1) followed by Belarus No.1 Max Mirnyi against Guillermo Canas. The second day will begin with the Presentation Ceremony, followed shortly after by the doubles rubber between Mirnyi/Volchkov and Calleri/Lucas Arnold. On the final day Mirnyi will start against Calleri before the final rubber between Voltchkov and Canas. While the composition of the Argentine squad before today's draw was anything but certain, there was never any doubt as to who would lead the Belarusian attack. Team captain Sergei Teterin opted for his Davis Cup stalwarts Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov, both of whom have represented their country in the competition for the past 10 years. Together, they have helped lift their team from the Europe/Africa Zone Group III to be among the elite nations of the World Group. Speaking after the draw, Teterin commented: "Despite the fact that the Argentinean team arrived in Minsk without two their leaders, they nonetheless have very strong tennis players who are very tough competitors. I am sure the outcome of the draw is really good for us. Now we will think how to use this to our advantage. Our guys are in good shape and we will struggle hard for the final victory." Argentine team captain Gustavo Luza has had far more problems with team selection than his Belarusian counterpart. David Nalbandian, who missed the last two Masters Series tournaments due to an ankle injury, has been left out of the team, as has Guillermo Coria, who is also sidelined through injury. Having progressed to the final at Miami, Coria was forced to retire during the match against Andy Roddick due to sharp pains in his back. The Argentine team, therefore, enters this Davis Cup encounter without its two top players - the 4th and the 8th ranked players in the world. "The draw in Davis Cup ties is rather relative and does not have much of an influence,"said Luxa. "Overall, we are glad with its outcome. Our purpose is to play our best tennis and to show our determination." Twenty-seven-year-old Agustin Calleri was nominated to lead the Argentine campaign as the No. 1 singles player, while 20-year-old Juan Monaco joins the team for the first time. An up-and-coming new talent (he has played only eight matches in ATP tournaments), Monaco has drawn much attention recently. Having qualified for the Miami main draw, he went on to claim victories over Joachim Johansson and three-time Roland Garros champion Gustavo Kuerten before posting an eventual third round finish. Guillermo Canas was urgently called upon at the last minute to replace Coria and has had the least amount of time to acclimatize and prepare to play on the quick Minsk Taraflex carpet. "This week I planned to have a rest and then to start preparing for Roland Garros,"said Canas. "When I was phoned and told that Coria couldn't play, I had to do my best to arrive in Minsk as quickly as possible and to start preparing for the tie. I arrived yesterday. Today I'm feeling better and I hope to demonstrate my best tennis tomorrow." -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 61.230.104.120
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