It took Fernando Gonzalez three days to travel back from Mexico for Chile’s delayed Davis Cup first-round tie against Israel, but is hoping a win can lift his compatriots’ spirits after last weekend’s deadly earthquake.
Because of the transport chaos cause by the disaster, Chile’s tie against Israel in Coquimbo will start tomorrow, instead of today when other first-round matches begin, the International Tennis Federation said on Wednesday.
Gonzalez arrived in Santiago on Tuesday after an odyssey including four flights and rides in a taxi and a van.
“The Davis Cup issue is a difficult one,” Gonzalez said on his Web site.
“On the one hand, it’s uncomfortable to have to concentrate on playing when you know there are people suffering. On the other, I believe that if we manage to beat Israel we will be bringing a little bit of happiness to all the people who have suffered so much in recent days.”
Champions Spain begin the defense of their title against Switzerland on clay in Logrono without the injured Rafael Nadal. The hosts are also missing Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Bernard Tomic became Australia’s youngest Davis Cup player in 77 years when he was named yesterday to lead off the Asia Oceania Group One tie against Taiwan.
The 17-year-old was preferred ahead of the higher-ranked Carsten Ball to win a singles spot, alongside Peter Luczak for the zonal tie, starting at Melbourne Park today.
At 17 years and 135 days, Tomic will be Australia’s youngest player since Vivian McGrath played at the age of 17 years 84 days against Norway in 1933, Tennis Australia said.
Tomic, ranked 298, will face Taiwanese No. 2 Yang Tsung-hua, ranked 322, while the 75th-ranked Luczak will take on Yi Chu-huan, listed at 514.
Ball and Paul Hanley will team up for the doubles rubber tomorrow against Yang and Yi.
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