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Anderson eyes Davis Cup

Johannesburg - South Africa's top tennis player, big-serving Kevin Anderson, says he is eager to return to Davis Cup competition after a controversial two-year layoff.

After representing the country in 2008, Anderson said he would no longer be available for the international team competition. He makes his return, however, when South Africa play Germany for a place in next season's World Group in Stuttgart next month.

Speaking in a conference call late on Wednesday, Anderson, ranked 76th in the world, said he was fully committed to the tie against Germany.

"I needed time to work on my game," Anderson said, "but I'm back in the top 100 now (in the ATP rankings) and I've grown a lot as a player over the last two years.

"I'm glad to be back in the team and I'm looking forward to the tie in Germany."

South Africa are looking to gain World Group status for the first time in 12 years, and while they are expected to struggle on the clay surface at the Weissenhof Tennis Club, Anderson said he was confident of their chances.

"I think I've improved a lot on clay, and I'm able to adjust to the different surfaces," he said.

"Germany haven't announced their team yet, but we've got a good group of players and I think we've got a decent chance of gaining promotion."

Anderson, the least experienced player in the team with only three Davis Cup matches under his belt, is joined by Wesley Moodie, ranked 25th in the world in the doubles format, Izak van der Merwe, Rik de Voest and Jeff Coetzee.

John-Laffnie de Jager will accompany the team as a non-playing captain.

Having defeated Finland 5-0 in Pretoria in May, South Africa will qualify for the World Group for the first time since 1998 if they defeat the hosts.

Germany, who lost 4-1 to France in the first round of this year's World Group, will hope to retain their place in the top flight for the sixth year in succession.

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