Tough draw for hosts in Davis Cup opener

Trinidad and Tobago tennis stars have their work cut out when they play Puerto Rico in the Davis Cup Group “B” opening round of the Davis Cup American Zone Three encounter on the refurbished Jean Pierre Complex centre court at Mucurapo today from 10 am.

At the draw made at the Crowne Plaza yesterday, TT were drawn in the same Group with Puerto Rico (seeded number one for Group “B”), Honduras and El Salvador. Guatemala head Group “A” which includes Jamaica, Bolivia and St Lucia. The Central Americans, rated number 69 by the International Tennis Federation,  will battle St Lucia (No 108) on court number two while Jamaica (No 83) and Bolivia (No 90) face each other on court number one. Honduras ( No 82) will clash with El Salvador ( No 101) on court number three. TT’s hopes rest with reigning national champion Ivor Grazette and the United States-based Stone brothers — Shane and Troy who will feature in the doubles emcounter.

Former national Under-18 champion Dexter Mahase is the other player among the foursome who will be striving to push the twin-island republic back into the Americas Group Two Division. TT team coach Lennox Francis is optimistic and he says that the doubles match could be the decider in this important tie. The former two-time national champion said the doubles with Shane and Troy will probably decide the winner against Puerto Rico. “We have our toughest opponent first but this is how the draw is done,” Francis said. “It will not be easy but the players will be fighting hard for victory. I feel confident that the boys do well in the tournament.The new courts provide a nice pace and will suit their style of play.”

Shane and Troy Stone carried TT’s colours at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships held last year in El Salvador.They copped the bronze medal in the doubles tournament. Their experience and combination will be put to the test while Grazette must also play to his best ability to give the homesters much to shout about. ITF Tournament referee Jorge Diaz of Portugal outlined the rules and regulations governing the competition. He insisted that all team members, both players and officials, adhere to the Davis Cup rules or else they will face disciplinary action which could affect their team’s chances. The opening ceremony starts at 9 am today and the tournament ends on Friday.

Teams
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Ivor Grazette, Shane Stone,Troy Stone and Dexter Mahase.Lennox Francis (coach), Ashton Wharwood (manager).
PUERTO RICO: Gabriel Montilla, Gilberto Alvarez,Jan Polhamus and Luis Haddock. Francisco Gonzalez (coach), Kelvin Rivera (aast. coach) and Angel Ginorio (physical trainer).
GUATEMALA: Rodrigo Gabriel, Cristian Paiz, Jorge Tejada, Walter Barahona and Sabio Sical.
EL SALVADOR: Rafael Arevelo, Jaime Cuellar, Jose Baires, Augusto Senabira and Diomedes Antonio Pineda.
HONDURAS: Carlos Albert Caceres, Calton Enrique Albarez, Pablo Hernandez,Franklin Orlando Garcia and Carlos Anibal Rodrigez.
JAMAICA: Ryan Russell, Dustin Brown, Damar Johnson, Nakia Gordon and Douglas Burke (non-playing captain).
BOLIVIA:Javier Taborga, Alberto Sottocorno, Diego Camacho and Ramiro Benavides (captain).
ST LUCIA: Sircean Arlian, Vernon Lewis,Alberton Richelieu jnr and Yves Sinson. Trevor Hunte (captain) and Errol Hunte (manager).