Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S Davis Cup non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa says he would want to maintain the team that played last week in the Euro/Africa Zone Group II against Bosnia-Herzegovina for the upcoming tie against Moldova in July.

Dzuwa, who is also a member of Tennis Zimbabwe’s selectors’ committee, said he is hoping to retain his team made up of Takanyi Garanganga, Benjamin Lock, Mark Fynn and Wayne Black.

“I think in July we’ll maybe have a better result. But I would love to give credit to the team, they tried so hard and to Tennis Zimbabwe under difficult conditions they have managed to host the tie.

“I’m happy with the team and I’ll maintain the same team come July. Overall the guys, especially Benjy, played brilliantly on Friday as well as Mark, Wayne, yes Takanyi had ups and downs but they put up a good fight. He (Takanyi) upped his game in the second match and he showed he can do it. I think he’s going to go back with his coach and try to work on their weaknesses.

“It was great (having Wayne), if you look at the way he plays, he still can play and he gave in a lot of information with the team and he helped out with the team’s preparations and all that, he’s dedicated.

“Tennis is more of an individual game and we had some pointers that they’ll go back and work on with their coaches or on the tour. And for Benjy at the college he’ll try to work on his serve and to be a little bit more of a net player.

“For Takanyi it’s just maybe he is too aggressive so he is just going to try to be consistent. And also the court really played a part because we were expecting a faster, it was slow for everybody but the Bosnians were comfortable with it,” Dzuwa said.

TZ convener of selectors, Tanya Chinamo, said the upcoming tie is crucial since they would want to stay in Group II where competition is high and said selection of the team depends on the availability of players.

Chinamo noted that they engaged Black for last week’s tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina because the team needed a doubles specialist.

“It’s very important because obviously we want to stay in that group, it adds value to us because the level is high. I think that’s the group we should be in with the level of Benjy and Takanyi.

“Obviously it’ll depend on the availability of players. What we usually do is we select a squad, then it’s up to the captain on who will be in the team.

“I think we’ll always be developing. I think particularly when you are looking at a guy like Wayne, we’re looking really for a doubles specialist which we don’t have. And obviously the captain will look at that and say I should have a doubles specialist. We needed experience and doubles specialist.

“It was particularly good for Wayne to be in the team, the captain felt that he needed that. Whenever you have someone who have been there before you need to use him as much as you can . . . Development will always be there and Davis Cup will always be there,” said Chinamo.

A defeat against Moldova will see Zimbabwe making an early return to Africa Zone Group III.