[DC]Calleri Carries Argentine Hopes in Minsk
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
Latin_AM 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
10
26