adminZimbabwe Davis Cup coach Martin Dzuwa reckons his side has a good chance of defeating Moldova in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II play-off this week.
The July17-19 clash is the first ever clash between the two sides and neither country can afford to lose. The loser will be relegated to Zone Group III next year.
“Our chances are pretty high, according to the ranking of the opposition players. Our guys are ranked higher and I think that gives us a good start,” Dzuwa told The Sunday Mail.
“But in tennis ranking doesn’t really matter and Moldova have got a good side.”
Moldova are ranked 51 in the Davis Cup, while Zimbabwe are on position 75.
However, Moldova’s highest-ranked player is Dimitri Baskov who is number 2 030 in the world, compared to Zimbabwean top gun Takanyi Garanganga’s 281st position.
Dzuwa said Zimbabwe could not afford relegation after battling for years to gain promotion.
“I think the guys are ready and I have no doubts about my team. Yes, it’s a crucial match; we don’t want to go back to the lower group. It’s been really tough there and we rather do well in this one and stay in the group (sic).”
Veteran Wayne Black has been replaced by 17-year-old Tadiwa Chinamo to play alongside Garanganga, Mark Fynn and the Lock brothers, Benjamin and Courtney.
“It’s good experience for (Chinamo) to mix with these top guys and we will see how it goes,” said Dzuwa.
Both teams are coming from identical 1-4 loses, with Zimbabwe falling against Bosnia/Herzegovina in March, while Moldova succumbed away to Hungary.
Online Reporter