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Brighton Zhawi
ZIMBABWE Davis Cup team captain Martin Dzuwa has urged his players to move out of their comfort zone and compete in more challenging tournaments ahead of the Euro/Africa Group II relegation play-off away to Georgia in July.
Dzuwa believes his lads, who fell 1-4 away in Finland last weekend, need to move away from the Futures Circuit and do business in Challenger tournaments.
Previously known as the ATP Challenger Series, the Challenger Tour is a series of international men’s professional tennis tournaments.
It is the second-highest level of competition, after the ATP World Tour, and is followed by the Futures Tournaments of the IFT Mens Circuit.
While lauding the efforts of his team – which comprised Takanyi Garanganga, Mark Fynn and Courtney Lock – the Zimbabwe non-playing skipper highlighted the need for players to compete with the cream of world tennis on a weekly basis.
“We had a meeting with the guys after our tie against Finland and came to point where we agreed that they need to play more Challenger than Futures tournaments, this will be good preparation for the coming crucial tie,” he said.
“But I must say we put up a good fight, obviously it was important to win the first game for a good start and that didn’t happen.
We were short, we were missing Benjie (Benjamin Lock), but I am proud of the guys; they tried their best.”
Dzuwa said they would not underestimate Georgia, whom they meet for the first time, despite the Europeans’ world ranking of 75 placing them 10 rungs below Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe will be buoyed by the return of number two player Benjamin Lock who missed the Finland tie due to college commitments.
“It’s good he will be available and it gives us confidence ahead of this tie. Our first priority is staying in this group, after which we will then try find ways to get promoted.
“Georgia has good players, they might be ranked lower than us, but we will not take the match lightly,” Dzuwa said.
A relatively young Georgia side was white-washed 0-5 at home by Denmark last week.
Their number one player is 24-year-old Nikoloz Basilashvili, who is ranked 17 on the singles circuit.
Online Reporter