Ljublijana, Slovenia - Slovenia have named their strongest possible side to do battle with South Africa over the Easter weekend in the all important Euro/Africa Zone Group 1 Davis Cup tie.
The tie will be played at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Jabavu, Soweto on April 6, 7 and 8.
The team includes two players ranked in the top 150 of world tennis namely Blaz Kavcic (107) and Grega Zemlja (130). The other two players named are low ranked relatively unknown players in Janez Semrajc (668) and Nik Razborsek who has no world ranking.
Kavcic, the star Slovenian player was ranked as high as number 70 in the world six months ago.
Slovenia will be captained by Blaz Trupej.
“This Slovenian team named is a very competent team” said SA Davis Cup captain John-Laffnie de Jager.
“With two players ranked in the top 130 of world tennis they certainly could be seen as favourites but two men don’t make up a team and as we have seen on so many occasions anything is possible at any time in Davis Cup competition. My boys are ready for the challenge and are quietly confident too.”
The two teams have never met in Davis Cup competition and in the latest Davis Cup rankings, the South Africans are positioned at 24 whilst Slovenia are ranked 30.
The South African team announced two weeks ago will be without the country's top two ranked players Kevin Anderson and Rik De Voest, who both made themselves unavailable for this tie. The South African players, captained by John Laffnie De Jager, are Izak Van der Merwe, Raven Klaasen, Ruan Roelofse and Jean Andersen.
There is no entry charge at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Complex and Tennis South Africa is hoping this will attract all tennis and sporting fans to the tie.
“Easter time is tennis time this year and we are not charging a entry fee which will hopefully attract a big crowd to Soweto to support our team do battle with Slovenia,” said Ian Smith, chief executive of Tennis South Africa.
“Davis Cup is one of the most exciting team sport events and the players participating in this tie are top class professionals so there promises to be some great tennis action over the three days.”
SA v Slovenia
Venue: Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre, Johannesburg, RSA (hard – outdoor)
South Africa
Izak van der Merwe
Raven Klaasen
Ruan Roelofse
Jean Andersen
Captain: John Laffnie de Jager
Slovenia
Blaz Kavcic
Grega Zemlja
Janez Semrajc
Nik Razborsek
Captain: Blaz Trupej
The tie will be played at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Jabavu, Soweto on April 6, 7 and 8.
The team includes two players ranked in the top 150 of world tennis namely Blaz Kavcic (107) and Grega Zemlja (130). The other two players named are low ranked relatively unknown players in Janez Semrajc (668) and Nik Razborsek who has no world ranking.
Kavcic, the star Slovenian player was ranked as high as number 70 in the world six months ago.
Slovenia will be captained by Blaz Trupej.
“This Slovenian team named is a very competent team” said SA Davis Cup captain John-Laffnie de Jager.
“With two players ranked in the top 130 of world tennis they certainly could be seen as favourites but two men don’t make up a team and as we have seen on so many occasions anything is possible at any time in Davis Cup competition. My boys are ready for the challenge and are quietly confident too.”
The two teams have never met in Davis Cup competition and in the latest Davis Cup rankings, the South Africans are positioned at 24 whilst Slovenia are ranked 30.
The South African team announced two weeks ago will be without the country's top two ranked players Kevin Anderson and Rik De Voest, who both made themselves unavailable for this tie. The South African players, captained by John Laffnie De Jager, are Izak Van der Merwe, Raven Klaasen, Ruan Roelofse and Jean Andersen.
There is no entry charge at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Complex and Tennis South Africa is hoping this will attract all tennis and sporting fans to the tie.
“Easter time is tennis time this year and we are not charging a entry fee which will hopefully attract a big crowd to Soweto to support our team do battle with Slovenia,” said Ian Smith, chief executive of Tennis South Africa.
“Davis Cup is one of the most exciting team sport events and the players participating in this tie are top class professionals so there promises to be some great tennis action over the three days.”
SA v Slovenia
Venue: Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre, Johannesburg, RSA (hard – outdoor)
South Africa
Izak van der Merwe
Raven Klaasen
Ruan Roelofse
Jean Andersen
Captain: John Laffnie de Jager
Slovenia
Blaz Kavcic
Grega Zemlja
Janez Semrajc
Nik Razborsek
Captain: Blaz Trupej