World Group Davis Cup 2011 important players
A total of eight unseeded sides are pitted against the top eight countries in the World Group at the Davis Cup tennis tournament, to be contested next year.
The sides at the bottom end of the spectrum, for the next year’s edition, include Australia, India, Belgium, Romania, Germany, Sweden, Kazakhstan and Chile.
What do these countries have to offer? Are they capable of causing any big upset? Bettor.com takes a look at some of these teams and their major players.
1. Jurgen Melzer and Austria
The Austrian team is currently number fifteen in the Davis Cup rankings. Their most popular singles contender is none other than Jurgen Melzer, who is also a good friend of the Swiss tennis master, Roger Federer.
Jurgen is ranked number thirteen by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). His best major run has come this year at the clay court French Open tennis tournament where he reached the semi final round before falling at the hands of ultimate winner,
Rafael Nadal.
However, it was the less popular Martin Fischer, who ensured that his team earned a spot in the World Group defeating Israel at home 3-2.
His foe in the final tie was Harel Levy.
Jurgen, however, still remains the mainstay of the Austrian side with his two singles wins proving significant in securing a safe path to the opening round.
2. Oliver Rochus of Belgium
The Belgium side recorded a memorable win versus Australia at home. Lleyton Hewitt withdrew from his reverse singles match as a result of injury.
Their most memorable appearance in recent times has been a semi-final run at the Davis Cup tennis tournament back in 1999.
At the moment, however, Oliver Rochus and Xavier Malisse are the top ten tennis players of Belgium, who are representing their team in the Davis Cup competition.
Oliver did well versus the kangaroos, triumphing in his two singles clashes and teaming up with Ruben Bemelmans to beat Hewitt and Paul Hanley in the doubles rubber.
3. Chile and Gonzalez
Are there any Chilean stars to unfold some magic into the Davis Cup tennis competition?
Two names are definitely sure, Massu and Fernando Gonzalez. Massu has a strange nickname, Vampire, probably because of his emaciated looks and he is currently ranked number 123 in the world by ATP.
Fernando Gonzale, on the other hand is the best tennis player from Chile, who is currently ranked number 44 in the world.
The Chilean side were defeated this season by Czech Republic, however, a notable fact is that their top ranked tennis player, Gonzalez didn’t play in that clash.
So, the question is can he make it more exciting next season?
4. Kohlscreibing and Germany
The German side at home is nothing less than a nightmare for its opponent on the court. It proved disastrous for South Africa at Stuttgart when they managed to take on the Teutonic might. It was a complete whitewash and the score line of 5-0 reflected the
disappointing story of the visitors.
Kas, Beck, Mayer and Kohlschreiber ensured that Sunday remained a resting day.
Van Der Merwe and Voest had no battle in the carnage.
The South African side had just a total of two sets to prove for all their attempts.
5. Victor Hanescu and Romania
The Romanian side outlasted Ecuador 5-0 to once again make their way into the World Group.
Ungur and Hanescu were the architects of a handy victory for Romania at home.
Ungur held off the challenge from Lapentti during the second tie to make it 2-0 towards the end of the opening day.
The doubles clashes were nothing more than a formality in three straight sets and Victor turned out to be the winner.
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