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Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S number one tennis player Takanyi Garanganga will be hoping to lead his team to a positive start in this weekend’s Europe/Africa Group II relegation play-off against Moldova when he takes on Maxim Bulat today at Harare Sports Club.

Number two player, Benjamin Lock, has a date against Moldova’s number one player Dmitrii Baskov in the second match of the day.

The two singles matches will be followed by the doubles match tomorrow with Zimbabwe’s Mark Fynn partnering Courtney Lock against the pair of Egor Matvievici and Andrei Soltoianu.

The reverse singles matches will be played on Sunday with Garanganga playing Moldova’s number one player Baskov and Benjamin will take on Bulat.

Zimbabwe were promoted into Group II last year and, after losing 1-4 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first tie in March at Harare Sports Club, the team returns to the same venue hoping for a win to stay in the Europe/Africa Group II.

However, it’s not going to be an easy game as Moldova, who lost to 1-4 to Hungary in March, are also seeking to stay in this Group.

The losing team will be relegated to Group III.

“It’s very important, I mean, we’re in Euro/Africa Group II, so playing at home it’s always good,” said Garanganga.

“We got a good draw…. hopefully we will get a win and go on to the next match. We are all competing, they have competition and we have competition here so it should be good.”

Courtney, who got his first call-up for the Davis Cup team, said he was excited to be part of the team and playing alongside his brother Benjamin.

“Obviously, it’s always an honour to play for your country and it’s always been a dream for me and my family to see Benjy and I both playing Davis Cup.

“It’s definitely an honour and I’m really excited.

“I think the hardwork I put in this paid off, you know I got some good results in the Futures here which got my name called up so I’m really excited.

Moldova’s number one player, Dmitrii, said he was looking forward to the showdown.

“This surface is very different and we are not used to play on this surface so probably I will have to change something because it’s very fast. We’ll see what we can do, what we’ll manage,” said Dmitrii.

Their captain, Gorban Iuree, said they have just started competing on the professional circuit.

NetOne presented a $35,000 cheque to Tennis Zimbabwe yesterday for the Davis Cup tie soon after draw.

The mobile company came on board to assist the national association in hosting the three-day event.

Programme

Today

Singles Matches

Takanyi Garanganga v Maxim Bulat (9:30am)

Immediately followed by

Benjamin Lock v Dmitrii Baskov

Tomorrow

Doubles Match

Mark Fynn/Courtney Lock v Egor Matvievici/ Andrei Soltoianu (11am)

Sunday

Singles Reverse Matches

Takanyi Garanganga v Dmitrii Baskov (9:30am)

Immediately followed by

Benjamin Lock v Maxim Bulat