Canada’s unheralded men’s tennis team is refusing to be intimidated by a powerhouse French squad that is the clear favourite heading into this weekend’s Davis Cup clash.
"We’re the underdog on paper," said Canadian captain Martin Laurendeau. "But deep down, we all believe that playing at home, playing with the momentum that we’ve carried from last year and drawing on the confidence and good feelings we’ve had from winning Davis Cup last year, we can all bring it together and raise everybody’s game."
The French team boasts No. 6 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, No. 13 Gael Monfils — who expects to play despite a knee injury — and No. 35 Julien Benneteau as well as fifth-ranked doubles specialist Michael Llodra.
Canada’s top hopes are 29th-ranked Milos Raonic of Thornill, Ont., the country’s highest-ever ranked singles player, and third-ranked doubles specialist Daniel Nestor of Toronto.
Rising star Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., (115th), who stood out while playing in all three victories on the road against Mexico, Ecuador and Israel last year to get Canada to the World Group stage against France, and 178th-ranked veteran Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., round out the Canadian foursome.
Canada is playing at the World Group level for the first time in eight years. But Raonic, who has risen dramatically in the rankings in the past year, has no plans to adjust his game against the French.
"My focus is always on myself," said Raonic, who advanced to the third round at the Australian Open last month. "I try to make my opponents adjust to me, moreso than me adjust to them."
A victory will place Canada in the quarter-final stage and ensure a return to World Group play in 2013. If Canada loses, it will be forced to compete in a playoff round to avoid relegation to Americas Zone play and a longer road back to the top level.
When Canada is not relying on its youthful talent or homecourt advantage, it will depend on the wily Nestor. Now 39, he was just a 19-year-old rookie when Canada last hosted a Davis Cup competition in Vancouver in 1992.
But he upset Swedish star Stefan Edberg in singles play, providing a highlight to Canada’s 3-2 loss. Although Nestor is not slated to play singles this time, he believes Canada’s challenge is the same as it was in 1992.
"You’ve got two top-10 guys we’re up against, but I think we’ve got a better singles lineup than we had then," said Nestor.
"We’re the underdog on paper," said Canadian captain Martin Laurendeau. "But deep down, we all believe that playing at home, playing with the momentum that we’ve carried from last year and drawing on the confidence and good feelings we’ve had from winning Davis Cup last year, we can all bring it together and raise everybody’s game."
The French team boasts No. 6 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, No. 13 Gael Monfils — who expects to play despite a knee injury — and No. 35 Julien Benneteau as well as fifth-ranked doubles specialist Michael Llodra.
Canada’s top hopes are 29th-ranked Milos Raonic of Thornill, Ont., the country’s highest-ever ranked singles player, and third-ranked doubles specialist Daniel Nestor of Toronto.
Rising star Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., (115th), who stood out while playing in all three victories on the road against Mexico, Ecuador and Israel last year to get Canada to the World Group stage against France, and 178th-ranked veteran Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., round out the Canadian foursome.
Canada is playing at the World Group level for the first time in eight years. But Raonic, who has risen dramatically in the rankings in the past year, has no plans to adjust his game against the French.
"My focus is always on myself," said Raonic, who advanced to the third round at the Australian Open last month. "I try to make my opponents adjust to me, moreso than me adjust to them."
A victory will place Canada in the quarter-final stage and ensure a return to World Group play in 2013. If Canada loses, it will be forced to compete in a playoff round to avoid relegation to Americas Zone play and a longer road back to the top level.
When Canada is not relying on its youthful talent or homecourt advantage, it will depend on the wily Nestor. Now 39, he was just a 19-year-old rookie when Canada last hosted a Davis Cup competition in Vancouver in 1992.
But he upset Swedish star Stefan Edberg in singles play, providing a highlight to Canada’s 3-2 loss. Although Nestor is not slated to play singles this time, he believes Canada’s challenge is the same as it was in 1992.
"You’ve got two top-10 guys we’re up against, but I think we’ve got a better singles lineup than we had then," said Nestor.
0 comments:
Post a Comment