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ZIMBABWE’S top seed Takanyi Garanganga is struggling for form just two weeks before a crucial Davis Cup Euro/Africa Group II tie away to Finland.
The US- based player, who is on position 542 on the ITF singles rankings, is expected to once again be the backbone of a team that was last week dealt a heavy blow following the withdrawal of Benjamin Lock.
Lock withdrew from the tie citing college commitments.
His absence leaves Garanganga leading a team that will most likely comprise Mark Fynn and Courtney Lock when Zimbabwe visits Finland from March 4 to 6.
But Garanganga has not had a good start to the year, falling in the qualifying round of the Dallas Challenge tournament two weeks ago.
He went down 2-6 6-7(5) to Mikhail Vaks of Russia in the opening round.
Prior to that, the 25-year old had also failed to make the cut for the Maui Challenger and Bangkok Challenger played in January.
Garanganga could not be drawn into talking about his game as well as the forthcoming Davis Cup tie when contacted for comment last week.
“Sorry, you caught me at a period I am not talking too much about my game. So I really have no comment on the Davis Cup right now. Thank you. Hopefully we can meet in person and discuss some things. Thanks,” he said.
Despite the poor form, Garanganga retains the confidence of Davis Cup non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa who insists there is “no reason to panic.”
“I don’t think it really matters, I know Takanyi is preparing well in America,” he said. “It is actually a good challenge for him as these are the type of players he will meet in the Davis Cup. And it will be a different ball game a fresh match so we believe he will ready.”
Dzuwa disclosed that they are still deciding on whether or not to call up a replacement for Benjamin Lock.
“We are still working on it because it might be too late to call up someone to the team because we have to be in Finland by next weekend to begin camp,” he said.
Online Reporter