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Davis Cup preps gain momentum

Sport
ZIMBABWE’S preparations for the 2015 Euro-Africa Zone Group II tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to gather momentum next week when the players arrive in the country for camp.

ZIMBABWE’S preparations for the 2015 Euro-Africa Zone Group II tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to gather momentum next week when the players arrive in the country for camp ahead of the crucial tie set for March 6-8 at Harare Sports Club.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

Team captain Martin Dzuwa told NewsDay Sport in an interview yesterday that the quartet of Takanyi Garanganga, Benjamin Lock, Tinotenda Chanakira and Mark Fynn were expected to start arriving in the country on Saturday.

“At the moment, we have been working hard here together with Wayne Black, but the training camp will start next week when the players arrive from their bases in Europe and the United States.

“Mark Fynn, who has been active on the Futures Circuit in Egypt this week, arrives first on Saturday, while the other players will be in the country early next week,” he said.

The Mufakose-born player said he was happy that the players had been active both on the professional tours and on the US College circuit.

“I’m very happy that the players having been playing regularly around the world. Our top seed, Takanyi, has had a good start to the year, winning two tournaments. This should be a big confidence-booster for him and the rest of the team.

“Benji (Benjamin Lock) has been playing both on the ITF Futures circuit and for his college team, while Tinotenda Chanakira will play in Turkey this week before coming for camp.” Although Zimbabwe, who are ranked 36 places below the world number 48-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dzuwa said his charges had an equal chance of emerging on top.

“They might be ranked higher than us, but I believe the tie will be evenly poised. We have been doing our homework on them. They have some good players. In fact, their top seed actually played at the Australian Open. Despite all that, I believe it’s still 50-50. We also have good players and we will have the advantage of playing at home,” Dzuwa said.

The Davis Cup tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to generate a lot of excitement among local tennis fans, who last watched their team playing on home soil nine years ago.

Zimbabwe last played a Davis Cup match at home against Norway in a Euro/Africa Zone Group II first round tie in April 2006 with the quartet of Dumiso Khumalo, Stefan D’Almeida, Genius Chidzikwe and Gwinyai Tongoona going down 1-4 at Harare Sports Club.