Davis Cup will be slow going for Brits
The choice of a former bullring as the site for Great Britain?s Davis Cup World Group qualifying tie with Ecuador is very fitting given the fierce support local hero Nicolas Lapentti will receive when he plays Greg Rusedski in today?s opening match.
It is being played on the slowest possible clay court surface that Ecuador could get away with. Britain have had little clay court success over the years and the underfoot conditions will help even up a tie that Rusedski and British No 1 Tim Henman are expected to dominate.
True, Lapentti is ranked 26 in the world and clay is his favourite surface, but the home team?s other singles player is journeyman Luis Adrian Morejon, who meets Henman in today?s second singles match.
Henman, the world No 9, and Rusedski, ranked 24, are expected to form the British doubles team tomorrow but only if they avoid lengthy strengthsapping singles clashes on the opening day. If fatigue is a problem then Martin Lee and Barry Cowan are standing by to play in a tie that Britain must win to claim a place in the World Group ? the elite of international tennis.
?Adaptation is going well,? said Henman, who insists that Guayaquil?s sultry climate, where temperatures can reach 36 degrees celcius, will not be a crucial factor.
Revenge is the motivation for Britain who suffered a humiliating defeat on Wimbledon?s grass 14 months ago against Ecuador.
Meanwhile, Thomas Johansson fought back from two sets down to beat Pat Rafter 3-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 today to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Australia in their Davis Cup semi-final in Sydney.
