Zim Davis Cup team targets Uruguay scalp

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Davis Cup captain Takanyi Garan’anga says his team has the capacity to beat Uruguay in a crucial World Group II Play-off tie at Harare Sports Club.

The tie will roll off with the two singles matches set tomorrow before the doubles and reverse singles matches on Saturday.

Besides Garan’anga, the team also includes the Lock brothers Benjamin and Courtney as well as Benedict Badza and Mehluli Sibanda.

“The preparations have been going on so well, we have been fortunate that the rains have not disturbed our practices so far so in terms of getting court time, it is good,” said an upbeat Garan’anga.

Zimbabwe’s former number one-ranked player said they are aiming for a win on home soil although they expect the higher-ranked Uruguayans to put up a strong challenge he is expecting a tough challenge from the higher-ranked Uruguay team.

“We are expecting competitive and challenging matches against our opponent and with that being said we are now working towards winning the tie. For the remaining time before the competition, we will work on playing working on point situations.”

Uruguay are ranked 42nd, 25 places ahead of Zimbabwe on the Davis Cup team rankings, although their highest-ranked player, Pablo Cuevas did not travel with the team.

The other team members of the South American team are Pablo’s brother Martin, Ariel Behar, Franco Roncadelli, Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo and Ignacio Carou.

Ranked 387th on the ATP singles rankings and 184th in doubles, Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Lock is the highest-ranked player in the tie while Cuevas is ranked 464 and 252 in singles and doubles, respectively.